"Yes!" says a frustrated Oscar Piastri when asked if he is staying at McLaren next season.

Though - for whatever reason - he has been slightly off the boil this season, as has his teammate, Piastri is still seen as a serious title contender, when given the right car.

However, in recent weeks, as speculation over Max Verstappen's future has intensified, Piastri has found himself at the centre of speculation over his McLaren seat.

Asked if he will still be at Woking next season, a clearly frustrated Piastri simply said: "Yes!

"I didn't realise it was a point of contention," he quickly added. "Obviously, I've seen and heard some of the rumours, and for me, I am very comfortable with where I am and where I sit, and Zak and Andrea have been great through that and very reassuring.

"Clearly, Max is not feeling in a great position at the moment and is exploring options," he continued. "It was the same thing last year with him and Mercedes, so it is nothing new, but I am very happy with where I am and where it is going."

Asked if McLaren have been talking to Verstappen behind his back, Piastri said: "I don't know. I'm not really that bothered. "I think it's important for people to know where things sit, where the market sits. Any information you can get is good.

"I trust the team here and the things I've been told and the belief in me, so that's all I really care about."

Just think, it wasn't that long ago that the Woking team was wrangling with Alpine (nee Renault) over the Australian's services, Piastri, coming off the back of successive titles in FREC, F3 and F2, widely considered to be the next big thing. The youngster, aware of the level of subterfuge at work then, will no doubt appreciate that despite what he claims these things happen. If Zak Brown really wants Verstappen at McLaren, Piastri's out, and he won't know anything about it until it's all done and dusted