Aussie ace Oscar Piastri announces huge contract news on eve of F1 season
McLaren has sent a statement to the rest of the F1 grid on the eve of the 2025 season, confirming Oscar Piastri has signed a multi-year contract extension.
The 23-year-old Melbournian was already signed until the end of 2026. The new deal is believed to keep him in papaya until at least the end of 2028.
The team last year signed Lando Norris on a similar multi-year deal. Piastri and Norris are widely viewed as one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.
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Not only have the drivers signed long-term deals, but so have several key personnel – including team principal Andrea Stella – ensuring a period of stability from the team that spent several years at the back of the grid.
Piastri was the only driver to complete every racing lap in 2024, and finished fourth in the drivers' standings as the team won a drought-breaking constructors' title.
Oscar Piastri has inked a fresh deal that will keep him at McLaren. Getty
"It's a great feeling knowing that I'm part of McLaren's long-term vision," Piastri 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."
The deal puts to bed any rumours of a switch well before they gather any momentum. On the new season of the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner quickly answered "Oscar" when asked which of the two McLaren drivers he would want in his team.
Piastri made his debut for McLaren in 2023, and the team extended his tenure mid-way through that season.
He claimed his maiden race victory in Hungary in 2024 - albeit under controversial circumstances - and then backed it up with a stunning second victory in Azerbaijan.
McLaren is entering the 2025 season favourites for one, if not both titles. Piastri and Norris are both expected to be contenders for the world championship.
Piastri in action during pre-season testing in Bahrain. Getty
"It's fantastic to confirm Oscar's extension with McLaren. 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 chief executive Zak Brown said.
"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."
The F1 season will commence this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Practice begins on Friday.
