Oscar Piastri has emerged as a shock target for Ferrari’s 2027 campaign despite the Scuderia’s catastrophic Singapore weekend that prompted fierce condemnation from Italy’s sporting press.
The McLaren driver, who leads the championship standings with 22 points over Lando Norris, is reportedly exploring options beyond his current Woking team according to Swiss outlet Blick, with the legendary Italian squad positioning themselves as frontrunners for his signature. The revelation comes as Ferrari endured another nightmare performance at Marina Bay, sparking brutal criticism from Corriere dello Sport who branded Sunday’s race a “disastrous performance” for the historic team.
Ferrari’s Singapore nightmare saw Charles Leclerc limp home in sixth position after losing ground to Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, whilst seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton’s race unravelled dramatically with brake failures forcing him to coast through the final laps. A subsequent five-second penalty for repeatedly cutting corners dropped Hamilton behind Fernando Alonso into eighth place.
Italian Giants Eye McLaren’s Rising Star
Sources close to negotiations suggest the 24-year-old Australian has begun evaluating his options beyond 2026, despite holding a McLaren contract until 2028. Blick’s report indicates Piastri has “already set his sights” on a potential Ferrari seat, timing that would coincide with major regulation changes in Formula 1.
The prospect of Piastri joining Ferrari gained momentum following Singapore’s dramatic opening lap, where tensions between the McLaren teammates exploded after Norris aggressively forced his way past the championship leader at Turn 3. The Australian’s fury was evident as he demanded over team radio that McLaren intervene, declaring the move “not fair” whilst suggesting his teammate had done “a pretty shit job” of avoiding contact.
Mark Webber, who manages Piastri’s career, offered intriguing comments to Italian media that appeared to acknowledge the Ferrari interest. “He must complete his development. And even if Ferrari remains a potential point of arrival, he must achieve the final result,” the former Red Bull driver stated, adding cryptically: “In the meantime, it would be better if he improved his Italian.”
Scuderia’s Crisis Deepens
Sunday’s result left Ferrari’s championship aspirations in tatters, with Mercedes now 27 points ahead in the constructors’ battle whilst Red Bull have closed to within just eight points behind. The team’s technical struggles have become increasingly evident, with Leclerc admitting he resorted to “stupid” setup experiments during qualifying in desperate attempts to extract performance from the troublesome SF-25.
“We are struggling massively with the car,” Leclerc confessed post-race, his frustration palpable. “I wish I could say that I’m positive for the rest of the season. I don’t think there’s anything in the car that proves to me that we are going to do a step forward.”
Hamilton echoed his teammate’s despair, revealing he had to lift 200 metres before normal braking zones to nurse failing brakes throughout the race. “I feel pain for all the team from catering to marketing, to the guys in the garage,” the Briton lamented. “They really do give absolutely everything but the car we have is unfortunately not of the level of the guys ahead of us.”
Team principal Fred Vasseur was observed in what Corriere dello Sport described as “very tense discussion” with team personnel during the weekend, highlighting the pressure mounting within the organisation. The Italian publication particularly criticised recent modifications to the car’s rear suspension, suggesting these updates have worsened rather than improved performance.
Driver Market Dominoes Set to Fall
Ferrari’s pursuit of Piastri could trigger significant changes across the grid, with both current Scuderia drivers facing uncertain futures. Hamilton possesses an option for 2027 but would be 42 years old by that season’s start, whilst Italian outlet RMCMotori claims Leclerc’s management has already begun preliminary discussions with alternative teams.
The possibility of Leclerc departing Maranello has gained credibility following Ferrari’s recent struggles, with sources suggesting the Monegasque driver could seek pastures new should next year’s car fail to deliver championship-calibre performance. This scenario would create the perfect opening for Piastri to fulfil what many consider his destiny, joining Formula 1’s most storied team.
Ferrari hold additional options through their academy system, with Haas driver Oliver Bearman contracted only until 2026 and Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto impressing in his debut campaign. However, securing Piastri would represent a marquee signing, bringing proven race-winning ability and youth to partner either Hamilton or a potential new signing.
McLaren Tensions Threaten Unity
The Singapore confrontation marked the latest flashpoint in an increasingly strained relationship between McLaren’s drivers as they battle for the championship. Team principal Andrea Stella attempted to defuse the situation, insisting the team welcomes drivers expressing themselves clearly, though admitted “every time we start our conversations with the drivers, we always remind ourselves this is hard.”
Piastri’s absence from McLaren’s constructors’ championship celebrations, though attributed to media obligations, fuelled speculation about discord within the team. Video footage captured the Australian appearing to cut off CEO Zak Brown’s congratulatory radio message, though sources indicate this was unintentional timing rather than deliberate snub.
The championship leader’s frustration stems partly from perceived inconsistency in McLaren’s approach to team orders. After being instructed to cede position to Norris at Monza following a pit-stop issue, Piastri expected similar treatment when disadvantaged in Singapore. McLaren’s refusal to intervene has reportedly left the Australian questioning whether equal treatment exists within the team.
Hamilton Offers Telling Insight
Lewis Hamilton, who began his Formula 1 journey with McLaren before achieving his first title with the team in 2008, provided revealing perspective on Piastri’s situation. When asked for advice to the championship leader before Singapore, Hamilton’s response was notably brief: “Don’t give back any more positions.”
The veteran champion has openly admired Piastri’s rapid ascent, praising his composure under intense pressure. “The job he’s doing is fantastic,” Hamilton noted earlier this season. “The pressure on both of them will be unimaginable for most people who have not experienced it.”
Should Ferrari successfully lure Piastri whilst retaining Hamilton, the partnership would unite two generations of talent, creating a formidable combination of experience and raw speed. Alternatively, Piastri could find himself leading Ferrari’s charge into a new era should both current drivers depart.
Regulation Revolution Adds Urgency
Formula 1’s sweeping regulation changes for 2026 add crucial context to Piastri’s considerations. History shows major rule overhauls can dramatically redistribute competitiveness, potentially elevating struggling teams whilst toppling current frontrunners. Ferrari’s vast resources and technical infrastructure position them as potential beneficiaries of the reset, despite current difficulties.
Piastri’s connection to Ferrari extends through his junior career success with Prema Racing, the Italian squad that has historically fed talent to the Scuderia. His back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships with Prema established credentials that Ferrari’s decision-makers have long admired.
Industry observers note Piastri’s growing authority within Formula 1 has increased his negotiating power considerably. No longer the rookie who endured Alpine’s contract controversy, he now commands attention as championship leader and proven race winner, assets that make him invaluable to any team harbouring title ambitions.
With six races remaining this season and Verstappen closing the gap to 63 points, Piastri faces immediate challenges whilst simultaneously planning his future. Whether Ferrari can reverse their current malaise sufficiently to attract Formula 1’s hottest property remains uncertain, but the Italian media’s savage criticism suggests radical changes are essential if the Scuderia hopes to return to former glories, with or without Piastri’s services.
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Image Credit:
Oscar Piastri — Image appears in Wikimedia Commons under a CC BY-4.0 license. (commons.wikimedia.org)
