Rumours swirled around the Formula 1 paddock at the Austrian Grand Prix of a meeting between Verstappen's team and McLaren, and they've crossed Europe to Silverstone, where talk continues to grow of the Dutchman joining the reigning champions in the future.
His arrival would leave either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri out of a seat, and the former stated ahead of the British Grand Prix that he'll be with the team for years to come.
When asked about his own thoughts on the situation, Piastri said he wasn't worried about his own future, as the team regularly express their satisfaction with him.
"Yeah, sure," he told reporters in McLaren's motorhome at the Silverstone paddock when asked whether he'd be happy to have Verstappen as a teammate,
"For me, I think it doesn't mean much. Max is the talent that he is and is looking around. I'm very happy with where I am.
"I've been told multiple times the team are happy with me and I trust them, so for me, it doesn't really mean much.
"I've also got a contracted place as well, so yeah, for me, it doesn't change anything. I'm just trying to build on the success of that."
Piastri was handed a multi-year contract extension ahead of the 2025 season, and their decision to put their faith in him was quickly proved right, with the Australian driver leading the championship for much of the campaign and only just missing out on the title to teammate Norris.
Neither have been able to fight for the title again this season, largley because McLaren no longer have one of the strongest cars, but Piastri also feels he could have driven better thus far in 2026.
"Not necessarily," he said when asked whether his performances in 2026 deserved more praise given he's fourth in the standings, above Norris, Charles Leclerc and Verstappen. "I personally don't think it's been a great start to the season for me.
"I think there have definitely been some highlights; I think Japan was very strong, I think Austria was very strong...
"But everyone's had reliability issues at some point, and in terms of the championship, I think five points (fewer) and I would be seventh or eighth and not fourth...
"(I'm) just trying to build on some of the good performances that I've had, that's the biggest thing for me."
