McLaren has inked a new deal with Oscar Piastri which will see him race for the Woking-based F1 team for three more seasons.
Ahead of this weekend’s F1 Japanese GP, McLaren has announced a contract extension for Piastri which will keep the Australian at the Woking-based outfit for three more seasons. Having inked a multi-year deal to race in 2023 and probably 2024, he has been rewarded with a long-term deal that goes beyond that.
Piastri will now be part of the McLaren family until the end of the 2026 F1 season at the very least. In fact, the team will have the same driver line-up until the end of the 2025 season with Lando Norris already having a contract that runs until 2025 which he signed at the beginning of last season.
“I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years,” said Piastri. “I want to be fighting it out at the front of the grid with this team and I am excited by the vision and foundations that are already being laid to get us there. The welcome that I have received and the relationships that I have built make this feel like home already.
“The team’s consistent commitment in me has made me feel incredibly valued and the desire from the team for me to be part of its long-term future made this an easy decision. To be wanted like that and for the team to show so much belief in me after just half a season, means a lot. Ever since the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test last year, I feel a real part of all things papaya and my thanks go to everyone in and around the team, as well as all the fans.
“Stability is a huge advantage in this early part of my career and to have that with a brand as prestigious as McLaren gives me the opportunity to continue the work that we’ve started. We’ve enjoyed some good moments together in my rookie season, but I’m excited to work together with everyone at MTC over the coming years to create some great moments,” summed up Piastri.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella noted: “It’s fantastic to confirm that Oscar has signed a multi-year extension with the team. Oscar is an asset to McLaren and constantly impresses with his performance, work ethic and attitude, so it was an easy decision for the team to make. He has already proved pivotal to the team, so it’s brilliant to have his vote of confidence as we push to win championships again in the future. I look forward to seeing him develop with us as we continue this journey together.”
And finally, Zak Brown added: “I’m delighted to be continuing our partnership with Oscar through to the end of 2026. He’s an incredible talent and an asset to the team so it’s fantastic to be committing to each other in the long term.
“Oscar is already proving what he can do out on track and has been instrumental in the turnaround we’ve had so far this season. He’s fitted into the team brilliantly and is really valued by the whole McLaren Racing family. I’m excited to see how he continues to grow both on and off track.”
Here’s Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris working together in Singapore
Here’s McLaren on Patricio O’Ward’s FP1 run