Letās slow this downābecause while the paddock is buzzing, there is NO official confirmation of a billion-dollar contract between Oscar Piastri and Ferrari. What has emerged, however, is a storm of rumors, strategic leaks, and explosive speculation that has completely destabilized Formula 1 just days before the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.
And that alone is enough to set the sport on fire.
š„ WHERE DID THIS STORY COME FROM?
In the last 48 hours, multiple unnamed paddock sources and speculative reports have claimed that Ferrari has made an extraordinary long-term approach toward Piastriāone allegedly involving not just racing contracts, but commercial, sponsorship, and branding structures so large that online commentators have begun throwing around billion-dollar figures.
š To be clear:
There is no signed deal, no FIA confirmation, and no official statement from Ferrari, McLaren, or Piastri himself.
But the reaction inside the paddock suggests something serious is happening behind closed doors.
š„ WHY PIASTRI? WHY NOW?
Oscar Piastri is widely viewed as one of the most valuable long-term assets in Formula 1:
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Young
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Calm under pressure
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Technically sharp
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Marketable across multiple regions
Ferrari, like all top teams, no longer looks at drivers purely as lap-time machines. They are brands, long-term investments tied to sponsors, manufacturers, and global reach.
Thatās why insiders insist that if Ferrari is circling Piastri, the interest would go far beyond salary.
š It would be about control of the future.
š§ McLARENāS SIDE: ANGER, DISTRUST, AND DAMAGE CONTROL
Reports suggest McLaren leadership is furiousānot necessarily because a deal exists, but because talks may be happening at all.
Behind the scenes, McLaren has already been battling:
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Allegations of internal favoritism
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Tensions over upgrade distribution
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Growing frustration from Piastriās camp
That context matters. Because in Formula 1, perception becomes leverage.
Even rumors of Ferrari interest weaken McLarenās position.
āļø LEGAL THREATS AND FIA WHISPERS
Speculation has escalated so far that:
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Lawyers on both sides are reportedly āmonitoring the situationā
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The FIA is said to be alert to any potential data-sharing or contract violations
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Rivals are watching closely for precedent
This isnāt unusualāwhen elite drivers are involved, politics move faster than cars.
šŗšø WHY THE U.S. GP IS THE PERFECT STAGE
Austin is not just another race:
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Massive media presence
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American sponsors everywhere
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Global spotlight
If Ferrari wanted to apply pressureāor McLaren wanted to shut things downāthis is the moment.
Thatās why the tension feels real, even if the headlines are exaggerated.
ā THE BIGGEST RED FLAG: THE NUMBER ITSELF
A $1+ billion deal would be unprecedented and wildly unrealistic as a pure driving contract.
Experts agree:
š If such a figure is being discussed at all, it would be spread over many years, heavily tied to:
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Sponsorship revenue
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Image rights
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Commercial partnerships
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Non-driving roles
Which means the story is less about moneyāand more about power and positioning.
š§ SO WHATāS THE TRUTH?
Right now, the safest conclusion is this:
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Ferrari is interested in Piastri
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McLaren is uneasy
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The paddock is leaking strategically
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And someone benefits from the chaos
Whether this ends in a deal, a contract extension, or a public denial remains to be seen.
š ONE THING IS CERTAIN
The Oscar Piastri story is no longer just about racing.
Itās about:
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Loyalty vs ambition
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Talent vs control
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And how far teams will go to shape the future of Formula 1
As Austin approaches, the noise will only get louder.
š But until ink hits paper, remember: in F1, rumors are weapons ā and silence is strategy.
Stay tuned.