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<\/p>\nRed Bull's search for Sergio Perez's successor has taken a blow as McLaren 'play a blinder' to tie down Oscar Piastri to a new long-term deal.<\/p>\n
The Australian has had an impressive rookie campaign behind the wheel, and rumours started to circulate he could be Red Bull bound. The outfit were looking for a No.2 to support Max Verstappen – but Piastri has now committed his future to McLaren.<\/p>\n
Karun Chandhok, Sky Sports' F1 pundit, said: "I think McLaren and Zak [Brown, CEO] have played a blinder by locking down Oscar because they got Lando for the next two years, and Oscar has proved to be a little star, hasn't he?<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton's humility shown in new George Russell clip as F1 fans praise 'real class'<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Esteban Ocon is sick inside helmet as another driver almost faints in Qatar GP sweatbox<\/b><\/p>\n
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Sky Sports is bringing you 500 live football games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA and more across eight<\/span> dedicated channels. Sky Sports is the <\/span>only way to watch all the action this year.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a322 a month<\/p>\n "They've got driving stability and, actually, now they're in quite a good position of strength negotiating because Lando's now locked in for the next two years, Oscar's beyond it. It'll be fun times, the next couple of seasons, with all that."<\/p>\n Christian Horner had made no secret Red Bull are on the lookout for another back-up driver, with Perez failing to provide the consistency he was looking for in his No.2.<\/p>\n Who do you think will be Red Bull's No.2 next season? Let us know in the comments section<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n However, Horner has also admitted he doesn't want two "alpha drivers" – which has ruled out their pursuit of Lando Norris, who has been linked to Red Bull in the past. And McLaren have now blocked a potential pursuit of Piastri.<\/p>\n Piastri put pen-to-paper on a new deal with McLaren that will keep at the outfit until 2026. And McLaren immediately reaped the rewards over the weekend as he won Saturday's sprint before finishing second in Sunday's Grand Prix.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31162834.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Red-Bulls-Max-Verstappen-wins-the-Qatar-Grand-Prix.jpg\")
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