Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert can imagine that McLaren star Oscar Piastri is toying with a move to Mercedes.
“Why would Oscar want to leave such a dominant team?” asked Herbert in an interview with “Prime Casino”, but also emphasized that it would be “stupid not to look elsewhere. You always have to stay up to date with what is happening and what opportunities might open up”.
At this point, “you should be aware of what’s going to happen next year, and also the rumors that Mercedes will be the dominant car, and maybe put yourself in a position where you might be considered for a driver spot if there’s a shakeup there. You want to be the driver that says, ‘I’m ready. I’m here. Come and get me.'”
Currently, Piastri’s chances of changing to Mercedes are purely hypothetical, at least in the short term. In mid-October, Mercedes confirmed its drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell for the 2026 Formula 1 season – but explicitly only for 2026.
Formula 1: Oscar Piastri has to “prove” that
According to Herbert, in order to position himself for the Silver Arrows, Piastri would first have to deliver – and according to him that means: beating teammate Lando Norris in the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship.
“You have to prove that you are not second best. You have to be the best,” said the Brit.
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According to him, Norris would currently be the candidate for a possible change. “The person who puts himself in the right position for this possible scenario with a team like Mercedes is Lando. He is the man of the hour. Lando is in control.”
In the World Cup showdown, Piastri must “win back the initiative and find his dominant form at the beginning of the season,” said Herbert.