In a recent episode of the High Performance Racing podcast, former Ferrari and Williams race engineer Rob Smedley pushed back against the notion that a second driver could leave a top Formula 1 team and build a championship-winning career elsewhere. Drawing from his experience at elite outfits, Smedley warned that such moves rarely bring the expected success or fulfillment.
“If you’re a driver in that team and you’re struggling against your teammate—and I’m reflecting on my Ferrari days—what choice do you have? Do you depart for a weaker team with no realistic shot at the title, even if you might be the lead driver there?” Smedley said. “I’ve watched that play out many times, and I’ve never seen it end well. I’ve never seen the driver actually become happier.”
Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer agreed, pointing to prolonged periods of single-team dominance as the root cause. “Two dynamics are at play. The team you’re joining isn’t the best, so you’d become the number one—that’s a given. But that squad also has to climb its way to the top. That’s a rare combination, especially moving from third-place to first. History shows teams like Mercedes dominated for six or seven years, Red Bull for four or five, and Ferrari with Schumacher for nearly a decade. If you’re the second driver at Ferrari during that era and decide you want to be the lead somewhere else, you’re stuck at a team that won’t be the best for ten years.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Sona Maleterova / Getty Images
These remarks come amid reports that Red Bull has set its sights on Oscar Piastri as a replacement for Max Verstappen, should the Dutchman decide to leave. Verstappen’s potential departure from F1 appears tied to his dissatisfaction with the current technical regulations. While nothing is confirmed, he has previously hinted at taking a sabbatical or even retiring. His contract runs through 2028, but sources indicate exit clauses could allow him to act earlier.
Piastri is understood to be under contract with McLaren until 2027. Although the Woking-based team considers him a cornerstone of its long-term plans, the Australian might see an opportunity to become the lead driver alongside Isack Hadjar at Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images