The rumor mill in Formula 1 is spinning faster than ever, and this time, Mark Webber is at the center of it all. The former Red Bull driver and current manager of rising star Oscar Piastri has been accused of fueling speculation that his protégé could be headed to the energy drink team. With whispers growing louder, it's time to break down what's really happening behind the scenes.

Much of the early-season chatter has revolved around Max Verstappen's future. The Dutch champion hasn't held back in criticizing F1's new regulations, and back in March, reports surfaced suggesting he might walk away from the sport at the end of this year. Just last week, Red Bull reportedly had their eye on Piastri as a potential replacement—a move that would shake up the grid.

Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel, speaking on the RacingNews365 podcast, questioned why Verstappen would even consider leaving, especially after Red Bull's recent upturn in form. But Coronel didn't stop there. The 54-year-old suspects Webber is trying to "stir things up" to create opportunities for his client. "I wouldn't know why Max would leave, now that they're starting to talk about it," Coronel said. "Guys, we can totally forget about that. Max is just having a good time, and he's not going anywhere at all. I say that every time—rumor to McLaren, then to Mercedes. Yes, I am absolutely convinced [he won't leave]. He can qualify second. Why would he want to leave? They are growing now, and that gives confidence to the team. You can also see that the car is being adjusted well for Max."

Coronel also noted that joining a team like McLaren isn't a simple swap. "At McLaren, you walk in, and there are already good drivers there who have a certain status; you can't just wipe that away in one go."

Meanwhile, Webber stepped back from trackside duties before the 2026 F1 season to focus on managing Piastri's commercial interests. The Australian driver recently discussed their evolving relationship on the High Performance podcast, emphasizing that things remain "very good." Piastri explained, "The relationship's good. Very good."

For now, the speculation continues, but one thing is clear: Webber knows how to keep the conversation moving. Whether this is a strategic play or just noise, it's adding another layer of intrigue to an already dramatic season.