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Just months ago, Oscar Piastri looked destined to fight for the Formula 1 world title. Calm, precise, and seemingly unshakable, the Australian outperformed Lando Norris through the first half of the season and was widely seen as McLaren’s new leading man. But since the summer break, that momentum has collapsed, and according to former driver Ralf Schumacher, Piastri’s patience may be running out. “If a driver loses trust in his team, something has to change,” Schumacher said. “He might need to move on.”
From title favorite to frustration
Piastri’s early-season form was stunning. He outpaced Norris in both qualifying and races, handled pressure like a veteran, and looked on course to challenge Verstappen for the championship. Yet after the break, the rhythm vanished. Mistakes crept in, confidence faded, and Norris steadily regained control within McLaren.
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By Mexico, Norris had overtaken him in the standings and taken the championship lead. For the first time, Piastri looked unsure, overdriving one weekend, underperforming the next. The calm precision that once defined him had been replaced by visible tension.
Ralf Schumacher believes the issue runs deeper than form. “When a driver loses faith in his team, or the other way around, that’s a clear signal,” he said on Sky Deutschland’s podcast. “It means something isn’t working. And in that situation, a change might be the only solution.”
Aston Martin on the horizon?
According to Schumacher, Aston Martin could be the perfect destination. “The rumors in the paddock are clear,” he said. “Aston Martin is actively looking for change ahead of 2026, or by 2027 at the latest. I get the sense Piastri might be thinking, ‘I don’t want to go through this again,’ especially with all the criticism and pressure he’s been facing lately.”
Aston Martin’s ambitions are well known. With the 2026 regulation reset approaching, the team has been quietly preparing for a post-Fernando Alonso future, one that will require a new lead driver to carry its long-term project.
Piastri, still only 24, fits the profile: fast, composed, and adaptable. If his relationship with McLaren continues to fray, Aston Martin could offer the fresh start he needs.
Could Leclerc be in the mix too?
Schumacher also hinted that Charles Leclerc could be another name on Aston Martin’s radar. “They want two strong drivers,” he explained. “One candidate is clearly Piastri, that’s already been discussed. The other is Leclerc. Whether he’s open to that move is another matter. But if Aston finds a way to restructure their lineup, they could have a very different team by next season.”
For now, Piastri remains committed publicly to McLaren, and the team continues to insist the relationship is solid. But body language tells another story. The frustration is visible, in radio messages, in debriefs, even in the tone of his interviews.
When a young driver loses faith, recovery is rarely simple. And with Aston Martin eager to reposition itself for the 2026 hybrid era, an opportunity might soon present itself.
A crossroads moment
Piastri’s next few races could determine his career direction. McLaren remains competitive, but if the internal trust continues to erode, the partnership may have already peaked. For Schumacher, the message is clear: “When it’s not working, it’s better for both sides to move on. Otherwise, everyone loses.”
For Piastri, the promise of his rookie rise still lingers, the talent hasn’t gone anywhere. But Formula 1 moves fast, and loyalty only lasts as long as success does. Aston Martin could be watching closely, waiting for the first crack in the papaya armor.
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