Piastri backed for shock F1 rival switch

Former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi believes it is "not impossible" for Oscar Piastri to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull next season. 

Piastri has enjoyed an excellent second season in F1, which has seen him collect victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan. 

The Australian is viewed as a future title contender, although is currently dealing with McLaren starting to prioritise Lando Norris in his fight against Max Verstappen. 

Piastri sits fourth in the drivers' standings and is 42 points behind his British team-mate, who is second in the championship. 

McLaren has faced questions over recent rounds to introduce team orders to favour Norris, particularly following a strong move by Piastri on the opening lap in Monza. 

With McLaren starting to favour Norris and with Perez continuing to struggle at Red Bull, Fittipaldi believes Piastri could be keen to move to Milton Keynes. 

Fittipaldi can see this happening should Piastri become frustrated with how McLaren operates its two drivers.

“At the end of the year, I don’t see it as impossible for Oscar Piastri to go to Perez’s place at Red Bull next year,” Fittipaldi told the Pelas Pistas podcast.

“Piastri might get a bit tired of the situation at McLaren and say ‘Thanks for your help but I need to think about myself’.”