MMA
Sean Strickland's coach confirms new UFC champ got 'hurt pretty bad' just days before Khamzat Chimaev upset
Sean Strickland becomes UFC champ despite serious shoulder injury before fight
Yahoo Sports1 min read
F1
Why Red Bull’s Dream of Poaching Oscar Piastri Is a Financial Nightmare
TL;DR
Red Bull Racing faces significant challenges in the 2026 F1 season, struggling with performance and reliability issues. The team is reportedly targeting McLaren's Oscar Piastri as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen, who may consider leaving due to frustrations.
Key points
- Red Bull Racing struggles with the RB22 chassis performance
- Reliability issues plague Red Bull Ford Powertrains
- Max Verstappen may consider leaving the team
- Oscar Piastri is Red Bull's top target for a potential replacement
- McLaren CEO Zak Brown holds significant leverage in negotiations
Mentioned in this story
Zak Brown
Red Bull RacingMcLarenMax VerstappenOscar Piastri
What is even happening in Milton Keynes? The 2026 Formula 1 season has been nothing short of a disaster for Red Bull Racing. Why? Let’s buckle up and count the problems. First, the new RB22 chassis is still struggling to find a performance window, and then the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project is suffering from glaring reliability issues. Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, the team currently sits behind midfield runners like Haas and Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship.
So, it is not at all surprising that Max Verstappen is rapidly losing his patience. With the ongoing problems forcing the Dutchman to drive to fifth at the Miami Grand Prix, paddock whispers are pushing for the “Dutchman is seriously considering activating the exit clause in his contract” storyline. All of this does make you wonder if Red Bull has any “Plan B”, right? Well, there is. And that’s McLaren’s young superstar, Oscar Piastri.
See, it sounds like a blockbuster deal on paper. Despite Red Bull losing the Dutchman, they manage to get some young blood on the team. However, when you look at the financial and contractual reality of the 2026 grid, Red Bull isn’t plotting a masterstroke. They are walking directly into a hostage situation where McLaren CEO Zak Brown holds all the cards.
Oscar Piastri “Plan B” Panic
The moment the Miami GP was over, the rumour mill started spinning. Multiple outlets, including Motorsport.com and Fox Sports, reported that Red Bull has officially flagged the 25-year-old Piastri as their “No. 1 target.” Again, on paper, Red Bull’s logic checks out. They are not exactly sure if their current number two driver, Isack Hadjar, is ready to lead a championship campaign, and Piastri fits the precise profile of a ruthless future champion.
Q&A
What problems is Red Bull Racing facing in the 2026 Formula 1 season?
Red Bull Racing is struggling with performance issues related to the new RB22 chassis and reliability problems with the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project.
Why is Max Verstappen considering leaving Red Bull Racing?
Max Verstappen is reportedly losing patience with the team's ongoing performance struggles, leading to speculation that he may activate an exit clause in his contract.
How does Oscar Piastri fit into Red Bull's plans for the future?
Oscar Piastri has been identified as Red Bull's top target to replace Verstappen, as the team seeks a young driver capable of leading a championship campaign.
