Andrea Stella has shut down speculation linking Oscar Piastri with a shock move to Red Bull, insisting McLaren\u2019s driver line-up is stronger than ever.<\/p>\n
Last season, McLaren found itself the target of conspiracy theories that the Woking team was favouring Lando Norris over Piastri in the title fight.<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri Red Bull rumours dismissed by Andrea Stella<\/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 Although Piastri<\/a> had led the Drivers\u2019 standings by 34 points over his teammate, his title challenge came undone in the final nine races of the 24-race season as he went winless with just three podiums.<\/p>\n Team orders at the Italian Grand Prix, followed by a wretched weekend in Baku and an opening lap incident with Norris in Singapore, triggered the decline and led to speculation that Piastri may be open to a move away from McLaren.<\/p>\n That rumour returned to the front pages when Max Verstappen again questioned his future in the sport; not only whether he wants to remain on the grid, but whether he wants to do so with Red Bull.<\/p>\n Silly season speculation even suggested a straight swap between Piastri and Verstappen, with Piastri taking the number one role at Red Bull as he chases a first world title.<\/p>\n Silly, though, is the right word according to Stella.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the reaction is in your question \u2013 you mentioned the silly season, and I think we are already fully in this silly season,\u201d the McLaren team principal told the media in Montreal.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we think about Oscar, we couldn\u2019t be happier.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we are seeing the best Oscar in the cockpit and also a happy Oscar, and the best version of himself outside the cockpit. Great dynamics and relationship with Lando.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the team is in its strongest shape since I\u2019ve been team principal. So definitely it\u2019s very clear, the direction for maximum stability at McLaren.\u201d<\/p>\n Piastri was also quizzed about the Red Bull rumours last week when he sat down to speak with the media ahead of the Grand Prix weekend.<\/p>\n He made it clear that aside from being a compliment from those speculating, that was the beginning and end of the story.<\/p>\n How could the F1 2027 grid look?<\/p>\n F1 2027 driver line-up: Which drivers are already confirmed for the 2027 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n F1 driver contracts: What is the contract status of every driver on the F1 2026 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s news to me,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s obviously not been any discussions or anything, but it\u2019s flattering.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really much more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully,\u201d he added, \u201cit proves my stock as a driver, which is a nice thing.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m very happy with where I am, and I\u2019ve got a lot of confidence in this team that we are going to be able to win races and hopefully championships in the future.\u201d<\/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 You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n