McLaren could swap Oscar Piastri for Max Verstappen according to Ralf Schumacher who believes the recruitment of GianPiero Lambiase could be a sign of things to come.<\/p>\n
The long-time Verstappen ally was confirmed in the week to be leaving Red Bull in order to take up a role at McLaren, a move some have taken as a sign of what is to come with the four-time World Champion.<\/p>\n
Ralf Schumacher makes McLaren driver prediction<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n The partnership of Lambiase and Verstappen appeared until now as an unbreakable one but just as Lewis Hamilton and Peter \u2018Bono\u2019 Bonnington proved last year, even the closest bonds will one day split.<\/p>\n That day looks to have been set for Verstappen and Lambiase with McLaren confirming the British-Italian engineer will join McLaren no later than 2028, which is the final season of Verstappen\u2019s current Red Bull deal.<\/p>\n Schumacher though has put forward an idea which would see their working relationship continue and that is with Verstappen joining McLaren at the expense of Piastri.<\/p>\n \u201cThis could mean he leaves Red Bull because he no longer believes in the team and quits altogether, especially since he never tires of emphasising how boring he finds Formula 1,\u201d he said on Sky Sports Germany.<\/p>\n \u201cOr: He goes to McLaren with his engineer, which would equally mean that there are negotiations underway at McLaren for Oscar Piastri to go to Red Bull, something we\u2019ve seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n That situation does though seem incredibly unlikely given McLaren\u2019s stated belief in Piastri. The Australian has a deal reportedly until the end of 2028 and is three years younger than Verstappen.<\/p>\n At the time of his latest contract signing 13 months ago, Piastri indicated his desire to be with McLaren for a long time.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling knowing that I\u2019m part of McLaren\u2019s long-term vision,\u201d Piastri said. \u201cThe team had the belief in me when we signed in 2022, and the journey we\u2019ve gone on over the past two seasons to help return McLaren to the very top of the sport has been incredible.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many talented and special people working at McLaren who have helped me to become a Formula 1 race winner very early in my career. Therefore, I\u2019m very proud to be continuing to represent this legendary team for many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Read next: Andrea Stella praises Oscar Piastri mental strength after F1 2026 setbacks<\/a><\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n