McLaren has confirmed Oscar Piastri‘s multi-year contract extension, solidifying his future as one of Formula 1‘s most promising young talents.
The new deal ensures that the 23-year-old Australian will remain with the Woking-based outfit until at least 2028, further cementing the team’s commitment to its dynamic driver lineup.
Oscar Piastri’s multi-year contract extension comes just days before the 2025 F1 season opener in Melbourne, Piastri’s home city, and underscores McLaren’s determination to maintain its competitive edge following a triumphant 2024 season.
Piastri has been making waves in the F1 circuit since his debut with McLaren in 2023. Initially signed on a multi-year contract, his impressive performance led to an early extension until the end of 2026.
However, team Papaya has now moved swiftly to secure his services for an even longer period with the new contract expected to keep him at the team until at least 2028. This strategic decision underscores McLaren’s belief in Piastri’s potential and his integral role in the team’s future success.
Piastri’s journey to becoming a key figure at McLaren has been nothing short of remarkable. Before joining the British team, the Alpine junior had already established himself as a formidable force in the junior ranks, claiming impressive Formula 2 and Formula 3 championship wins.
His transition to F1 was seamless with Piastri quickly adapting to the demands of the top tier. In his rookie season, he secured a podium finish and won a Sprint race setting the stage for an even more impressive sophomore campaign.
In 2024, Piastri ultimately claimed his first two Grand Prix victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan which turned out to be pivotal in McLaren’s historic constructors’ championship victory – the team’s first since 1998.
Piastri also finished fourth in the drivers’ standings – a testament to his consistency and skill on the track. His ability to complete every racing lap of the season further highlighted his reliability and endurance, making him an invaluable asset to the team.
These accomplishments have now prompted McLaren to announce Oscar Piastri’s multi-year contract extension well ahead of original expiration date in 2026.
Piastri expressed immense pride and excitement about continuing his journey with McLaren. Reflecting on his rapid rise within the team, he credited the talented individuals at Woking for their role in shaping him into a F1 race winner early in his career.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m part of McLaren’s long-term vision,” the 23-year-old 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 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.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown praised Piastri as an “exceptionally skilled driver” whose work ethic and seamless integration into the team made him an invaluable asset.
“It’s fantastic to confirm Oscar Piastri’s multi-year contract 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’s multi-year contract extension now solidifies McLaren’s driver lineup for the foreseeable future, with Lando Norris already under contract until at least 2027. The duo is widely regarded as one of the strongest on the grid, combining youthful energy with proven race-winning capabilities.
Their complementary styles have propelled McLaren to new heights, but their competitive nature has also sparked occasional tensions on track. As both drivers aspire to claim individual glory, managing this rivalry will be crucial for team harmony and sustained success.
McLaren enters the 2025 F1 season as one of the favorites following an impressive pre-season testing campaign. The team’s latest car, the MCL39, has shown strong race pace despite some challenges with rear stability during high-speed corners.
