Oscar Piastri has inked a new contract extension keeping him with McLaren until 2026. Piastri’s original contract had him locked in with the team until the end of 2024. However, McLaren felt they wanted to invest long term. The team wants to be heavily invested in stability. As reported by F1.com, Team Principal Andrea Stella stated, “It’s fantastic to confirm that Oscar has signed a multi-year extension with the team,” said Team Principal Andrea Stella. “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.”
CEO Zach Brown Also Chimed In
“Oscar is already proving what he can do out on track and has been instrumental in the turn around we’ve had so far this season. He’s fit 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.”
It is a dream for Piastri having finished multiple races in the points and now being solidified with a seat for the next three years. Piastri said: “I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years. 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.”
Whether Piastri will be a championship contender in the future is still yet to be determined. We definitely believe he deserves a seat on the grid, but time will tell if he can remain consistent. The F1 calendar is seemingly only getting longer and a few results will not be enough to be in championship contention with Max Verstappen and many others racing in the best form of their lives. It is a nice touch for the sport when the younger generation sees success.