‘Never works out’: Piastri warned against Red Bull switch

A former Ferrari race engineer has warned Oscar Piastri against a possible switch to Red Bull.

The Melbournian has been linked to the transfer – however provided that Max Verstappen elects to stroll away – amid reported tensions between his camp and the McLaren crew.

At McLaren, Piastri is an unofficial second driver behind reigning world champion teammate Lando Norris, whereas he would greater than doubtless transfer to Red Bull to guide the crew.

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However former race engineer Rob Smedley has urged Piastri to remain put with the papaya squad, as a result of they would be the crew greatest positioned to battle for championships for years to return.

He mentioned it was a “onerous” place for any driver to search out themselves in, however McLaren’s latest historical past of maximising upgrades ought to imply the Woking crew continues to be Piastri’s greatest wager.

“McLaren is catching up, Mercedes is in entrance at this level, however over the past two years they’ve most likely been the perfect crew,” Smedley mentioned on the Excessive Efficiency Racing podcast.

“This yr they’re going to be there or thereabouts. They know find out how to win world championships now, they might now win a number of constructors’ world championships on the bounce.

“In order that’s telling you that it is a crew that’s getting into its pomp if it does not mess up.

“Then, for those who’re a driver in that crew and also you’re struggling against your teammate – and I am going again now to my Ferrari days – what is the possibility for you?”

Smedley was Felipe Massa’s race engineer first at Ferrari after which Williams between 2006-2017. Like Eddie Irvine and Rubens Barrichello have been to Michael Schumacher earlier than him, Massa was a transparent No.2 driver behind Fernando Alonso.

On the 2010 German Grand Prix, Smedley – undoubtedly below instruction by Ferrari higher-ups – instructed Massa to let Alonso previous with the now-famous radio message: “Fernando is quicker than you. Are you able to affirm you understood that message?”.

Massa was main the race on the time, however duly let his teammate previous. Alonso would go on to win the race in a Ferrari 1-2, however the crew was later fined USD$100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.

In 2010, Ferrari onerous arguably the quickest automotive and any transfer away from the pink crew would have been a step backwards for Massa.

Extra just lately, Daniel Ricciardo opted to go away Red Bull on the finish of 2018 in a bid to determine himself as No.1 at Renault. The much less mentioned, the higher.

Whereas Piastri would by no means be instructed to let Norris previous if the 2 have been in a straight battle for the win, Smedley mentioned the Aussie is now in an identical place.

“Do you allow and go to a worse crew that really has no probability of successful the world championship, however you could be the higher driver within the crew? The No.1?” he mentioned.

“I’ve seen that on many an event – I’ve seen drivers try this and I’ve by no means seen it work out effectively.

“I’ve by no means seen it the place the driving force has been happier.”

Piastri signed a contract extension that might preserve him at McLaren “for the long run” on the eve of the 2025 season, and McLaren chief government Zak Brown has made it clear he’ll be holding onto each drivers.

“I could not be happier with our driver line-up,” Brown advised Sky Sports activities F1 in Miami.

“Lando and Oscar should not solely two nice guys on and off the monitor, but in addition shine as teammates.”

The F1 season continues with the Canadian Grand Prix – one other dash weekend – on Could 23-25 (AEST).