‘There has been a lot of fiction written’ – Webber reacts to rumours over Piastri’s McLaren future

Mark Webber has responded to speculation over Oscar Piastri’s future at McLaren, with the former F1 driver – who acts as Piastri’s manager – stating that “there has been a lot of fiction written”.

Reports emerged recently suggesting that Max Verstappen’s management had held informal discussions to explore opportunities at McLaren, and this followed on from rumours earlier in the year that the Red Bull driver could make a direct switch with Piastri – a notion that was publicly rejected by Team Principal Andrea Stella.

In light of the speculation emerging again, Piastri – who holds a multi-year deal with the papaya outfit – reiterated during the British Grand Prix weekend that he is content where he is, having commented: “I've got a contract in place, multiple reassurances that the team are very happy with me and I'm very happy with the team.”

Now Webber has given his take on the situation and backed Piastri’s view.

“Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future,” the nine-time Grand Prix winner told RACER. “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.”

It comes after McLaren CEO Zak Brown also insisted that he is pleased with the squad’s current pairing of Piastri and Lando Norris, the latter also holding a multi-year deal like his team mate.

“They're rumours,” Brown said of the Verstappen reports.

“I’m very happy with my two racing drivers, Lando and Oscar. I think anytime a name like Max is thrown around, people get pretty excited – a four-time World Champion – but [I'm] very happy with our driver line-up.”