To make matters worse, the seemingly inevitable Max Verstappen is within striking range<\/a>. The Dutchman is an still an outside contender in the title race, but he could become a more worrying threat with a few more race wins.<\/p>\n Considering the RB21\u2019s trajectory, it is not unrealistic for Verstappen to continue applying the pressure.<\/p>\n Putting these recent trends aside, Oscar Piastri has undoubtedly increased his market value this season. The 24-year-old\u2019s speed, maturity and consistency have not gone unnoticed in the paddock. His influence in the market will rise further if he claims the title.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to 2026, rumours are emerging about the potential for Piastri to be actively involved in the driver market.<\/p>\n LWOS is one of many outlets to cover the situation at Ferrari. Both on and off track, the Scuderia is failing to hit targets in what has become a bitterly disappointing 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n In the context of a very strong 2024 season, Ferrari\u2019s decline with the SF-25 is particularly notable. This has taken away much of the optimism that Fred Vasseur brought to the team after becoming team principal two years ago.<\/p>\n Perhaps more pressingly, it puts even more pressure on Ferrari to deliver in 2026. Should they fail to hit the ground running next year, the Italian outfit must confront the prospect of both Charles Leclerc<\/a> and Lewis Hamilton<\/a> looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n Reports are increasingly emerging about Leclerc being open to a move away from Maranello if next year is unsatisfactory. This signalling is also emerging from the Monegasque\u2019s camp, with manager Nicholas Todt emphasising that his driver deserves winning machinery.<\/p>\n Returning to Piastri, his position at McLaren<\/a> should not be doubted solely because of the tensions in this year\u2019s title race.<\/p>\n Of course, the Australian\u2019s disapproval in Singapore was not isolated \u2013 it was directly linked to what he saw as the team\u2019s inconsistency following their Monza team orders.<\/p>\n Still, Piastri has a multi-year contract with the Woking team and won\u2019t be in a rush to leave. Should he claim the Championship this year, any potential sticking points in their relationship should evaporate.<\/p>\n Instead, the 24-year-old\u2019s future should be dissected in the wider F1 context. Piastri is now a big name in the sport, and therefore commands more authority than he did prior to this year.<\/p>\n The Australian\u2019s relationship with McLaren adds some perspective to his awareness of alternatives on the grid \u2013 but it is not the sole motivator.<\/p>\n Piastri will still have the luxury to investigate multiple options in the 2026 market. Should McLaren fail to establish themselves as title contenders with the new regulations, he could be tempted to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n In theory, there are many drivers (Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri) with contracts that don\u2019t expire until 2027 or beyond.<\/p>\n In reality, however, the last few years have shown that contracts inevitably have exit clauses. This means virtually every driver will enter next year with plenty of flexibility.<\/p>\n The Australian will, like any driver, try to put himself in the best car possible. McLaren\u2019s package next year is therefore a key variable in this equation. Then again, Piastri<\/a> could also tempted to take a risk with a new project for 2027 and beyond \u2013 especially if he already has a world title under his belt.<\/p>\n Perhaps because of this, Italian outlet rmcmotori and Swiss outlet Blick<\/a> have suggested the 9-time race winner is looking at Ferrari as a future destination.<\/p>\n For different reasons, Leclerc and Hamilton are not guaranteed to continue at the Maranello squad after next season. In this scenario, Piastri is seen as a natural candidate to join the Scuderia.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2239364000-1024x683.jpg\")
Oscar Piastri in Singapore. (Photo by Bryn Lennon\/Getty Images)
\nPiastri mentioned as Ferrari option amidst uncertain driver landscape<\/p>\n
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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Singapore. (Photo by Sam Bagnall\/Sutton Images)