Oscar Piastri signs McLaren deal for 2027, shuts door on Verstappen

Oscar Piastri locks in McLaren future through 2027

On Thursday, Oscar Piastri ended speculation about his 2027 seat by committing to McLaren. The 25-year-old Australian driver told GPblog he is happy where he stands and trusts the team’s leadership. His move comes as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dodged questions about his own future at the same press conference.

What happened at the FIA press conference

Verstappen refused to discuss his contract status when pressed by reporters on Thursday. “No. Nothing. There’s nothing to say from my side,” he told the FIA media session. He instead praised the “second family” bond he shares with Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, the Milton Keynes squad pulled the controversial ‘Macarena’ rear wing from this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix after it triggered two incidents for Verstappen in the last two races.

Piastri’s statement shuts the transfer window

Piastri told GPblog he has seen the rumors swirling around Verstappen and Mercedes. “I’m very comfortable with where I am,” he said. “Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have been great through all that-very reassuring.” He added he has no issue with McLaren talking to other drivers. “I trust the team here. The belief they’ve shown in me is all I care about.”

Why this matters for Oscar Piastri

The confirmation ends months of conjecture about Piastri’s next move. McLaren now have both their 2027 seats locked in-Lando Norris earlier this year and Piastri today. Piastri’s vote of confidence arrives as teammate Norris sits third in the drivers’ standings, while Verstappen leads the championship. The Australian’s clarity contrasts with Verstappen’s refusal to address his own contract talks.

What comes next for Piastri and McLaren

McLaren head to Spa-Francorchamps with a settled lineup for 2027. Piastri will chase his first grand prix victory this weekend after two third-place finishes in the last three races. The team’s focus shifts to maximizing its mid-season development push while Piastri eyes a breakthrough result in Belgium.