Oscar to Redbull in 26!

Let's start throwing around some wild speculation and incredibly unsubstantiated rumors!

The 2025 Formula One season is nearing its close. With only 3 races left and a 3-ish way fight for the title, its certainly getting interesting for the fans.

The top bidders for the championship are McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen looking for the outside shot at another year as number 1.

McLaren secured constructors title number two early on this season with a clear display of having the fastest cars on the grid. Now that know they have the TWO fastest cars can they pick just ONE champion?

In the past McLaren boss Zac Brown hasn't been shy about his affection for his young prospect Lando Norris. The plan appears to have been all along to develop Norris from the onset into a championship winner, and they are real close to achieving just that. What will it cost them though to achieve this long term goal? Is securing a win for your favorite worth losing a different young championship prospect? With Lando now leading the championship standings what does that mean for the number two man? McLaren has made it abundantly clear, at least outwardly, that there are no number two drivers. However, in reality we all have our doubts.

McLaren teammates come together in Canada

If the season plays out and Oscar finishes second behind Lando, or worst third behind Lando and Max, there will definitely be cause to doubt that those results were purely settled on track with honest racing. You can draw some conclusions from the races in Canada and in Zandvoort. In Canada Lando drives back into the back of Oscar and correctly admits fault. McLaren rally Lando's defense "he just made a mistake, don't be mad at our baby." Conversly in the Netherlands Oscar found himself behind Lando on track and makes a lunge for position in some very competitive racing, and is immediately scolded on the radio for being too aggressive against his teammate. Is this the team that has "two number one drivers" and doesn't play favorites? Maybe. Are these cherry picked examples with some license to emphasize a point? Also maybe.

All of this to say, when the season is done, "The sun has gone down, and the moon has come up. And long ago somebody left with the cup!" Will Oscar feel as though his team gave him a fair chance to win it all?

Let's just say he doesn't. The 2026 grid is mostly finalized at this point except for one set of sister teams.

The RedBull/VCARB seats have yet to be confirmed for next season. The only sure thing is that Max Verstappen is staying on the payroll. Oscar Piastri has proven his loyalty is definitely for sale. Look back at how he was won away from the Apline program. If Oscar is unhappy enough to put himself on the market RedBull has the potential to solve some of their driver problems. Sign Oscar to the main RedBull seat partner Verstappen, part ways with the other senior driver in Yuki now that the senior seat is no longer available. There is no danger of a dangerous premature promotion for Isaac, and can keep him longer in the development team seat to further build him up. The only decision then is keeping Lawson or promoting the F2 winner Arvid Lindblad. If I'm Laurent Mekies, RedBull principal, I would really like to have one potential promotion decision to make, rather than the current 3D chess match they have to play against themselves at them moment.

Does Oscar look down the grid at the end of the year? Let's see how the next 3 races play out. Maybe there's a chance for some more groundbreaking changes ahead of this new era of Formula One.