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Piastri signs multi-year contract extension with McLaren
McLaren has secured Oscar Piastri’s future beyond the end of 2026 with the signing of a multi-year contract extension ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Piastri had signed an extended contract midway through his rookie season for McLaren in 2023 in a deal that originally kept him with the team for a further three years. Heading into the penultimate year of his contract and having impressed with his first two race victories as McLaren won the constructors’ championship last season, Piastri has received a further long-term commitment from the team.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m part of McLaren’s long-term vision,” Piastri said. “The team had the belief in me when we signed in 2022, and the journey we’ve gone on over the past two seasons to help return McLaren to the very top of the sport has been incredible.
“There are so many talented and special people working at MTC (McLaren Technology Center) who have helped me to become a Formula 1 race winner very early in my career. Therefore, I’m very proud to be continuing to represent this legendary team for many years to come.
“I’m excited to fight for the big prizes as a McLaren driver and after last year’s fantastic achievements, it has made me even hungrier to stay at the sharp end.”
Piastri’s extension comes 12 months after Lando Norris also signed a long-term deal, and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown believes the pair form the strongest partnership in Formula 1.
“It’s fantastic to confirm Oscar’s extension with McLaren,” Brown said. "Not only is he an incredibly talented driver, but his work ethic and cultural fit within the team made it a no-brainer to extend his time in papaya.
“We’ve got the best driver line-up on the grid, and in the past two seasons, we’ve seen how much of an asset to the team Oscar is both on and off track. He was absolutely fundamental in adding to our legacy with the 2024 Constructors’ Championship last season, so we’re all excited to see what we can do in the years to come as we continue to fight for world championships together.”
Piastri goes into his home race weekend as one of the favorites for the drivers’ title this year given McLaren’s progression in recent seasons, and team principal Andrea Stella says he’s excited to see the Australian’s ongoing evolution.
“Further extending our partnership with Oscar is a symbol of our belief and trust in him as a driver, as well as a reflection of our shared ambition to continue in our fight for championships together,” Stella said.
“It has been a pleasure working with Oscar throughout the past two seasons and he has continued to prove how impressive he is in terms of his talent, determination and work ethic as a driver and his contribution to our team and culture as a person.
“Alongside Lando, we have what we need locked in for the long term to keep pushing forward. I look forward to continuing to watch Oscar grow and develop as a driver and know that many successes lie ahead for him.”
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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