Piastri addresses Verstappen temptation after Norris snub from Red Bull

Oscar Piastri has explained why the possibility of becoming Max Verstappen's team-mate at Red Bull was 'never a consideration' ahead of recently signing a lucrative new deal with McLaren.

In the build-up to his home grand in Australia that kickstarted the current campaign, Piastri put pen to paper on a contract that is understood to mirror the length of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris through to the end of 2028.

McLaren acted quickly to tie Piastri down to a long-term agreement to avoid overtures from rival F1 teams. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is a known admirer.

In September 2022, Horner expressed "regret" at passing up the opportunity to sign Piastri to Red Bull's junior programme, whilst in an episode of the latest 'Drive to Survive' series he made clear, if given the chance, he would rather sign Piastri over team-mate Lando Norris.

Piastri, though, has indicated that the possibility of becoming Max Verstappen's team-mate in the future was not on his radar.

"For me, other teams were never even really a consideration,” said Piastri, speaking to The Times.

Explaining why, he added: "McLaren, firstly from a car perspective, but also just a team environment perspective, is where I want to be. A lot of people would want to be here. I’m confident I can win with this team."

Piastri not in F1 'to make up the numbers'

After unfortunately sliding off into the grass at Melbourne's Albert Park whilst en route to finishing second behind Norris, Piastri made a superb recovery a week later in China.

Whilst Norris again bemoaned making small errors, Piastri barely put a wheel out of place en route to finishing second in the sprint, followed by a pole-to-chequered flag triumph in the grand prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.

It means heading into this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Piastri is comfortably within touch of Norris, trailing by just 10 points, with Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell just two points and one point ahead respectively.

Piastri certainly has no intention of playing second fiddle to Norris this term, as he occasionally had to do last year.

"I enjoy being in that position of expectation,” said Piastri. “I’m certainly not in the sport just to make up the numbers.

"I am here because I want to become a world champion. Over the last couple of seasons, I have proven to myself, more than anyone, that I’ve got what it takes.

"I don’t think that I’m at the peak of what I’m capable of, but I’m trying my absolute best to get there as quickly as possible.

"I know when I have my best weekends, they’re good enough to beat the very best."