McLaren have identified their top choice to replace Piastri as exit talk grows

December 16, 2025 Oliver Obel

Piastri finished the 2025 campaign narrowly behind teammate Lando Norris, who sealed his first world title in Abu Dhabi. The outcome reignited a persistent debate among fans about whether McLaren, intentionally or not, tilts slightly in Norris’s favor during tight championship runs.

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has continued to reject those suggestions, saying throughout the season that both drivers were given equal backing and that strategic decisions were made solely on competitive grounds.

Discussions that could reshape 2027

British journalists Rebecca Clancy and Ben Hunt expanded on the situation during their Inside the Piranha Club podcast, where they noted that representatives for Piastri have held exploratory conversations with Red Bull.

While Piastri is widely understood to be under contract through 2028, the pair said paddock chatter over the Abu Dhabi weekend centered around whether the Australian is assessing a potential escape route that would allow him to join Red Bull in 2027.

Clancy highlighted lingering curiosity about the internal driver dynamic at McLaren and suggested that frustrations from a lost title fight could be influencing Piastri’s thinking.

According to comments discussed on the podcast, the team is aware of this tension and has begun considering its options in case the 23-year-old signals a desire to leave.

McLaren’s potential backup plan

If McLaren does find itself preparing for a major change, several outlets including The Sun and reporting from Motorsport.com have indicated that Charles Leclerc is viewed as a leading candidate for the seat.

Leclerc, now 28, is regarded as one of the sport’s top-tier drivers but has yet to receive a consistent championship-challenging car from Ferrari. He is also believed to hold an exit clause that could create flexibility if he chose to pursue a move.

Motorsport.com has additionally noted that Aston Martin is keeping a close eye on Leclerc’s situation as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll approach the final year of their current deals. A multi-team pursuit for Leclerc would dramatically reshape the driver market.

A high-stakes decision ahead

Should Leclerc become available, his signature would immediately become one of the most valuable in Formula 1. A partnership between him and a reigning world champion would not only alter McLaren’s trajectory but could also shift competitive dynamics across the grid inviting comparisons to some of the sport’s most iconic driver pairings.

For now, McLaren maintains its public commitment to both current drivers. But with rumours accelerating and rival teams already positioning themselves for 2027, the team may soon face pivotal decisions that define the next era of its racing program.

Sources: Inside the Piranha Club podcast (Rebecca Clancy & Ben Hunt), The Sun, Motorsport.com.