The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing after explosive claims surfaced just days before the U.S. Grand Prix, alleging that Oscar Piastri has secretly agreed to a billion-dollar Ferrari deal. If true, it would be one of the most dramatic power moves in modern F1 history.
But here’s the crucial detail 👉 nothing has been officially confirmed by Ferrari, McLaren, or Piastri himself. What we have instead is a volatile mix of leaks, denials, and legal whispers—and that’s exactly why this story has detonated.
💣 WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED
According to multiple unnamed insiders, the alleged agreement is a hybrid, long-term package valued at up to $1.05 billion over its full lifespan, reportedly including:
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Performance-based compensation (titles, wins, milestones)
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Massive commercial and marketing rights
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A role positioning Piastri as a long-term Ferrari figurehead in the hybrid era
In other words, not just a driver contract—a brand partnership.
⚠️ Important: These figures are not verified and appear to be projections rather than guaranteed salary.
🔥 WHY THIS RUMOR WON’T DIE
The timing is what’s fueling the fire.
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Tensions between Piastri’s camp and McLaren have been widely reported this season
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Public disagreements over strategy and race execution
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Persistent chatter about favoritism toward Lando Norris (allegations, not proven facts)
That backdrop has made the paddock primed for exactly this kind of shockwave.
Ferrari, meanwhile, is openly searching for its next generational cornerstone—and Piastri fits the profile perfectly.
🟥 McLAREN’S POSITION
McLaren has not acknowledged any Ferrari agreement and maintains that:
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Piastri is under contract
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No formal exit has been triggered
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Any suggestion of a completed deal is “speculative”
Privately, however, sources say McLaren leadership is furious, particularly at the idea of leaks appearing days before Austin.
⚖️ LEGAL & FIA NOISE
Adding fuel to the chaos:
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Reports of lawyers on both sides reviewing termination clauses
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Quiet FIA interest in data-transfer and contract-tampering protocols
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No official investigation announced, but plenty of paddock paranoia
At this stage, it’s procedural caution, not proof of wrongdoing.
🇺🇸 WHY AUSTIN MATTERS
The U.S. GP is now a pressure cooker.
Fans are watching for:
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Body language in press conferences
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Seating arrangements
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Carefully chosen words—or pointed silences
Even what color Piastri wears off-track will be dissected.
🧠 THE REAL STORY (FOR NOW)
Right now, this is what we can say with confidence:
✔ Piastri is one of the most coveted drivers in F1
✔ Ferrari is aggressively planning for the future
✔ McLaren faces internal pressure and scrutiny
❌ A “confirmed billion-dollar deal” remains unproven
But in Formula 1, perception often moves faster than paperwork—and perception alone can change careers.
🚨 FINAL THOUGHT
Whether this turns out to be:
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A genuine seismic transfer in progress
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A strategic leak to gain leverage
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Or paddock speculation spiraling out of control
One thing is certain:
🏁 The balance of power around Oscar Piastri has shifted.
And Austin may be the moment when whispers turn into something much louder.
Stay tuned — this story is far from finished.