Oscar Piastri of Australia (right) and British teammate, Lando Norris will look to help McLaren defend their Constructors' Title. EPA
Image: EPA
Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has extended his hopes of securing a first driver world title at McLaren after he signed a multi-year contract extension.
Piastri alongside teammate Lando Norris, helped McLaren win their first Constructors Title last season, which was for the first time since 1998. In doing so, they also pushed aside the sport's most dominating team presently, Red Bull.
Piastri had already been on a contract that ended by the climax of 2026 while the perimetres of his new contract had not yet been fully disclosed.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown said Piastri was instrumental in them acquiring their first Constructors title, making the decision to extend his contract a “no brainer”.
“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 (McLaren’s colours).
“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,” Brown said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
Oscar Piastri at a glance.
Image: Graphic News
The soon to be 24-year-old driver will start the season at home in Albert Park, for the Australian GP on Sunday. Piastri said it felt good to be part of the team’s long term plans.
“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,” he said.
“There are so many talented and special people working at (the factory) who have helped me to become a Formula One race winner very early in my career,” Piastri said.
Piastri made his debut win in Hungary last year and then followed it up with his second in Azerbaijan.
It's no secret that Brown’s team built an absolute rocket ship, which also propelled Norris to his first set of Grand Prix wins last season.
Overall, McLaren won six grand prix last year and finished 14 points ahead of Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari.
Piastri took podiums in Monaco, Austria, Belgium, Monza, Singapore, Qatar and also won the Sprint race in Qatar.
“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,” he said.
