**Aston Martin Eyeing Oscar Piastri and Possibly Charles Leclerc for ‘Urgent’ 2026-2027 Driver Change, Says Ralf Schumacher**
Sky F1 analyst Ralf Schumacher has revealed that Aston Martin is considering an “urgent” driver lineup change for the 2026 or 2027 seasons at the latest. According to the former F1 driver, the paddock buzz is focused on Oscar Piastri, with Charles Leclerc also rumored to be a potential candidate.
Piastri currently finds himself in a challenging position at McLaren. The Australian driver had been leading the drivers’ championship since mid-April and appeared set to dominate this season. However, his teammate Lando Norris closed a 34-point deficit after the summer break and, following a commanding win at the Mexico Grand Prix, now leads the championship by a single point.
In contrast, Piastri’s performance in Mexico was underwhelming, continuing a series of results below his usual standard since his retirement in Baku. McLaren’s controversial team orders in Monza and Singapore have further clouded the team’s driver dynamics, with many fans alleging that Piastri was being undermined to favor Norris.
At this critical juncture, where Piastri appears to be losing confidence, Schumacher believes a move to Aston Martin could prove beneficial. He explained, “The rumors in the paddock are clear: Aston Martin is urgently looking for a change around 2026 or after 2026 at the latest. I get the impression that he’s (Piastri) thinking, ‘I’m not putting myself through all this anymore,’ especially with all the criticism and online backlash he’s been facing.”
Schumacher also added that Charles Leclerc might be part of Aston Martin’s plans: “Naturally, they’re looking for two strong drivers. One candidate is Oscar Piastri—that’s been discussed quite reliably—and of course Charles Leclerc, if he wants it, that’s another option. And who knows, they might even try to find a way to exit a contract early if there’s an alternative lineup for next year. Otherwise, it just doesn’t make sense to stay.”
### Leclerc’s Future at Ferrari and Aston Martin’s Prospects
Reports suggest Charles Leclerc’s future with Ferrari may depend heavily on the team’s 2026 performance, which marks the debut of new technical regulations in F1. Should Ferrari fail to meet expectations, Leclerc could be on his way out by 2027.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin is widely expected to be a major force in the new era, with renowned car designer Adrian Newey spearheading their 2026 project. The Lawrence Stroll-owned team currently has Fernando Alonso under contract through 2026, while Lance Stroll—son of the team owner—is also a fixture in the lineup.
Given this stability, the driver change Aston Martin seeks is likely for Alonso’s seat. The two-time world champion will be 45 by the end of his current contract and is unlikely to continue beyond it.
### Former Haas Boss Criticizes Piastri’s Mexico Performance
Adding to the discussion, former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner commented on Oscar Piastri’s underwhelming performance at the Mexico Grand Prix. While Lando Norris secured pole position with an impressive lap and dominated the race, Piastri qualified ninth, over six-tenths slower than Norris, and finished fifth after gaining only three positions—just one of which was through an on-track overtake.
Steiner expressed his views on the Red Flags podcast: “It was not good enough to be world champion. He’s struggling now, and I don’t know what exactly is happening, but one of the things I could conclude out of it is that . . . he doesn’t get support from the team to win the championship, you lose a little bit of your mojo, you have doubts, and you don’t perform anymore.”
### Championship Battle Heats Up
With just four races remaining in the 2025 season, the drivers’ championship fight remains intensely competitive. Max Verstappen trails Piastri by 35 points in third place, and a recent resurgence by Red Bull has made Verstappen a serious contender against the McLaren duo.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Piastri maintains his lead or whether Aston Martin’s rumored driver shake-up becomes a reality in the near future.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-aston-martin-targeting-oscar-piastri-charles-leclerc-urgent-driver-change-claims-schumacher