F1 trades: Piastri future clearer after Verstappen announcement

Speculation over Oscar Piastri's future at McLaren can finally be put to rest with confirmation Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull.

The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a driver swap with the Australia for months, finally put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him with the Austrian F1 team until 2030.

There had been fears Verstappen would walk away from the sport entirely such was his aversion to the new regulations introduced this season, but it seems his rage has dissipated and he is locked in.

“I am really pleased with the contract extension,” Verstappen said.

“We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again.”

“This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue.

“I have always said it: the team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home,” he said.

“To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do.”

Verstappen has been with Red Bull since 2016 and the new deal will see him become one of the longest tenures with an F1 team in the sport's history.

His new deal will give Piastri fans reason to be cheerful with the Aussie struggling for form at McLaren this season.

It has also been confirmed that Alex Albon will remain with Williams. Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are also locked in for 2027.