Oscar Piastri will remain with McLaren for at least another three seasons after signing a contract extension running until the end of 2026.
Piastri was already locked in for next season, but his new deal keeps the talented Aussie off the driver market for what’s expected to be a hectic silly season next year, when as many as 15 drivers will be out of contract.
It also keeps him at Woking for the first year of the new regulatory cycle, which begins in 2026, when McLaren is targeting a return to regular victory contention.
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Piastri made his long-awaited Formula 1 debut at the start of this season and almost immediately impressed, qualifying inside the top 10 for the first time in just his second race and scoring maiden points at his home grand prix in Australia one round later.
While the 22-year-old made reputable progress in the early rounds of the season, he’s revelled in the MCL60 since McLaren brought a series of heavy upgrades to the car in July, turning it into a podium contender almost overnight.
He qualified a career-high third at the British Grand Prix and was set for his maiden podium before a late safety car dropped him out of the top three following a strong race performance.
Damage and strategy left him unable to turn fourth on the grid into a rostrum appearance at the following race in Hungary.
But the Melburnian marked his arrival with a breakout weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he mastered treacherously wet conditions to outqualify teammate Norris to start sixth and finish second in the sprint race, though he was taken out of the grand prix by a first-corner crash involving Carlos Sainz.
Piastri’s two-year renewal off the back of his original contract expiring 2024 comes days after a gutsy maiden Singapore Grand Prix, where he gained 10 positions from his 17th-place grid spot to score six points on his first visit to Marina Bay.
“I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years,” Piastri said. “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.
“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.”
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Team principal Andrea Stella said Piastri’s performances made retention an obvious choice for McLaren.
“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.”
Piastri was signed to McLaren following a bitter split with Alpine, which inducted him into its young driver program during his stellar junior career.
But despite his junior championship triple, the French team kept him sidelined as a reserve driver in 2022 and neglected to offer him a concrete contract offer for 2023, putting him at risk of a second year off the grid.
His management team, led by Australian former F1 driver Mark Webber, extracted him from Enstone in favour of a switch to McLaren, where he replaced the out-of-form Daniel Ricciardo.
Piastri said his reception at McLaren had helped him make a smooth debut in the sport.
“The welcome that I have received and the relationships that I have built make this feel like home already,” he said.
“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.”
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McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who has already described Piastri as a “future world champion”, said Piastri had been a key component in McLaren’s stunning mid-year recovery from backmarker early in the campaign to podium contender in recent months.
“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 said.
“He’s fitted into the team brilliantly and is really valued by the whole McLaren Racing family.
“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.
“I’m excited to see how he continues to grow both on and off track.”
Piastri is 11th in the drivers standings with 42 points.
McLaren is fifth in the constructors championship with 139 points, having closed the gap to Aston Martin in fourth down to 78 points after the Singapore Grand Prix.