Will Oscar Piastri at Ferrari even work?

Rumours of Oscar Piastri swapping McLaren orange for Ferrari red have picked up pace this week, largely sparked by reports in Swiss media suggesting the young Australian has his sights set on Maranello. On the surface, the story has the intrigue F1 thrives on: one of the sport’s brightest young stars linked with its most iconic team.

However, when examined closely, the prospect is more complicated than it seems — and may not happen for several years yet.

Why the rumours started

The chatter began when Swiss outlet Blick reported that Piastri and his camp, led by ex-F1 driver Mark Webber, were already eyeing a future Ferrari drive, possibly as early as 2027.

The timing of the speculation was fuelled by recent tension at McLaren, most notably the Singapore GP clash between Piastri and teammate Lando Norris, and the former's frustrated radio messages in the aftermath.

For many, those were visible signs that all is not perfectly smooth sailing at Woking. When a talented driver shows flashes of frustration, talk of greener pastures inevitably follows.

The McLaren complication

The biggest roadblock to any imminent move is Piastri’s contract. In late 2023, McLaren tied him down to a long-term extension, understood to run through 2026 and into 2027, with some outlets suggesting it extends to 2028.

That deal was a major coup for McLaren, ensuring stability alongside Norris, as they aim to fight at the front under the new 2026 regulations.

For Piastri, it gives financial security and a guaranteed seat in a competitive team — but it also makes a switch extremely difficult in the short term. Unless McLaren choose to release him or Ferrari are willing to fund a buy-out, he remains locked in place.

The Ferrari equation

Ferrari’s side of the story is equally layered.

Lewis Hamilton signed a blockbuster deal to join Ferrari starting in 2025, with reports indicating it runs until the end of 2026. Charles Leclerc, long tipped as the Scuderia’s franchise driver, also agreed to a contract extension that should see him remain with the team into the new regulations era.

That means Ferrari currently has no vacant seat in either 2025 or 2026. The first realistic opening, therefore, comes in 2027, when Hamilton may choose to retire or move on and Leclerc’s long-term plans become clearer.

Why the rumours have legs

Despite the contractual hurdles, the rumours are not without logic. Ferrari will need to think ahead to life after Hamilton, who will be 42-years old by 2027. Leclerc (27), though still in his prime, has endured ups and downs and may reassess his own future if Ferrari’s competitiveness falters.

In that scenario, Piastri (24) — by then a proven race winner and possibly a world champion — would be a natural candidate. His youth, speed, and commercial appeal make him the kind of driver Ferrari traditionally covets.

From Piastri’s perspective, Ferrari offer unparalleled prestige and global recognition, something that even a resurgent McLaren struggle to match. If he feels Norris has the inside track at Woking, or if McLaren stumble under the new regulations, Ferrari could look far more attractive.

The real question is not whether Piastri would want to drive for Ferrari — few drivers would turn down the chance — but whether the timing, contracts, and internal politics align. Right now, both McLaren and Ferrari are set for stability through at least 2026.

The earliest realistic scenario for a Piastri-to-Ferrari move is 2027, when Hamilton’s deal concludes and McLaren’s contracts become more flexible. Even then, negotiations would be complex, with McLaren unlikely to let go of a cornerstone driver easily.

In the meantime, the rumours will continue to swirl, fuelled by every flashpoint between Piastri and Norris and every whisper about Ferrari’s long-term driver strategy.