Mark Webber says Oscar Piastri exit talk is "nonsense" but Verstappen to McLaren rumours persist

The Australian’s manager insists Piastri remains committed to the team and focused on his long-term future at Woking. Webber described recent claims linking the 25-year-old with a possible departure as “nonsense”.

The speculation has intensified amid renewed suggestions that Max Verstappen could become a future McLaren target. Any move for the four-time Formula 1 World Champion would require McLaren to replace either Piastri or Lando Norris.

Both drivers remain under contract, while McLaren has repeatedly presented its current line-up as central to its future. However, Piastri has faced most of the questions surrounding who might be displaced should Verstappen ever become available.

Webber dismissed those suggestions and made clear that Piastri is not pushing for a move elsewhere. He told RACER: “Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future. Talk of him agitating to leave is nonsense.

"There has been a lot of fiction written about him and other teams… McLaren have repeatedly said they want him for the long term and Oscar is focused on that," added the former Formula 1 driver turned manager.

Webber’s comments directly address speculation that Piastri may be assessing alternatives because of McLaren’s reported interest in Verstappen.

However, there has been no indication from McLaren that it intends to separate its established driver pairing. Piastri and Norris remain contracted, competitive and central to the team’s Formula 1 programme.

The rumours gathered momentum at the start of this week following teasers connected to Scott Dixon’s move to McLaren in IndyCar.

Those teasers triggered wider social media claims that another significant McLaren announcement could be coming. Some speculation quickly shifted towards Piastri’s future and the possibility of changes within McLaren’s Formula 1 line-up.

Piastri has no publicly stated intention to leave, while McLaren has offered no indication that it wants him gone. Webber’s message was equally direct: the talk of the Australian pushing for an exit is “nonsense”.