Red Bull keeping eye on Oscar Piastri in driver line-up plan

While the 2026 season has only just begun, there has already been talk of possible shifts in the transfer market.

Max Verstappen's future plays a big role in the developments, especially considering he has voiced his dissatisfaction with the current technical regulations.

Should Verstappen opt to remain loyal to F1, his future at Red Bull depends on where the team stands later this year - and the Miami GP was a step in the right direction with new updates. 

Still, Red Bull is working on a plan B, according to the Italian branch of Motorsport.com. The Milton Keynes-based team is reportedly interested in Oscar Piastri.

It won't be easy to loosen Piastri from McLaren. The Australian is tied to the team until 2027, although past experience shows that should a driver want to leave, everything is negotiable.

Manager and former Red Bull driver Mark Webber is reported to be playing a role in the background, exploring alternative options.

The interest in Piastri is seemingly a review of Red Bull's strategy. Helmut Marko's vision in the recent past was to nurture its own talents and promote them to the team via its junior programme.

However, current team boss Laurent Mekies is said to be keen to take a more flexible approach.

But so far, it remains just background interest, largely because there are no concrete signs yet that Verstappen is leaving. 

But should something unexpectedly change, it would seem Red Bull already has a plan of action in mind, but other possible candidates are also on the radar at the Milton Keynes-based team.