Source: Official Team Post via X
F1 Fans Urge Oscar Piastri to Move On from McLaren Amid Advice from Johnny Herbert
F1 fans are advising Oscar Piastri to leave McLaren, contrasting Johnny Herbert's suggestion that he should assert himself as a team leader. The debate follows McLaren's controversial team orders favoring Lando Norris.
Oscar Piastri finds himself in the middle of a debate among F1 fans and pundits. While Johnny Herbert has encouraged the young Australian to "control his own destiny" at McLaren, many fans seem to think Piastri would be better off looking for opportunities elsewhere. This comes after a controversial moment during the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, where McLaren instructed Piastri to relinquish his P2 position to teammate Lando Norris. The decision, aimed at preventing an undercut by Charles Leclerc, raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about team dynamics at McLaren.
Johnny Herbert, speaking to Vision4Sport, suggested that Piastri should take a leaf out of Mark Webber's book, who had to assert himself at Red Bull. Herbert believes McLaren treats both drivers fairly and that Piastri should work diligently with the team to shape its development path. "Oscar has to steer the direction of that development so he benefits from it," Herbert said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with engineers and management.
However, F1 Oversteer readers appear unconvinced. Social media is abuzz with suggestions for Piastri to abandon McLaren. Comments range from "leave the toxic environment" to "move to Audi" once a spot opens up. Some fans even suggest he should join Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen. The notion that McLaren favors Norris has not helped, with one reader stating, "Piastri will never be allowed to fulfill his potential there while daddy Norris and uncle Zak pull the team strings."
This isn’t the first time Piastri has drawn attention from top teams. Red Bull has shown interest, although their current lineup is set with Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Audi, too, has been linked but remains committed to their current drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, through 2027.
Amidst these speculations, Piastri's decision will indeed be crucial for his future in Formula 1. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see whether he stays to fight for leadership within McLaren or seeks a fresh start with another team.