Karun Chandhok suggested that there might be a stipulation in Oscar Piastri’s McLaren contract that allows him to depart from the team in 2025, which could open the door for the Australian driver to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.
The potential move of Oscar Piastri to Scuderia Ferrari could have a significant impact on the Formula 1 grid. With the departure of the seven-time world champion, the Silver Arrows will need to find a suitable replacement. Various drivers have been linked to the team, including the young 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli. Former Red Bull driver Mark Webber has now highlighted the opportunity for Piastri to step in as Hamilton’s successor.
Karun Chandhok pointed out that Piastri has signed a multi-year extension with McLaren. However, he believes that Piastri’s manager would have negotiated an exit clause in the 22-year-old driver’s contract. Webber, known for his consistency on the grid during his time in Formula 1, supports this view.
Chandhok emphasized that Lewis Hamilton utilized a similar clause to leave Mercedes at the end of this season. Therefore, it is possible that Oscar Piastri has a provision in his contract that allows him to do the same. Piastri made a strong impression in his rookie season, delivering impressive performances for McLaren against his teammate.
Oscar Piastri is regarded as one of the most promising newcomers in recent years. During his debut season at McLaren, the 22-year-old proved to be on par with his teammate Lando Norris, surprising many who had previously seen Norris dominate. This led to Daniel Ricciardo agreeing to leave McLaren before the end of his contract.
Mercedes is in need of a reliable driver to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton. Piastri could be the perfect candidate to partner with the team’s current driver at Brackley. However, this pairing could potentially lead to conflicts within the team, as both drivers would push each other to their limits, similar to Hamilton’s relationship with Nico Rosberg a decade ago.
Undoubtedly, Oscar Piastri could be on Mercedes’ radar as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton. However, it remains uncertain whether the Australian driver has the option to leave McLaren in 2025. Nevertheless, fans eagerly await the unfolding of the Formula 1 driver market in the upcoming months.
According to the Source firstsportz.com