Oscar Piastri inks long-term deal with McLaren Formula One

Australia’s Oscar Piastri has signed a long-term contract extension with McLaren Formula One.

The 22-year-old, who replaced fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo at the team, has signed on until 2026, to continue his pairing with Brit Lando Norris, who is signed until the end of 2025.

Piastri, who joined the team in controversial circumstances after a contract dispute with Alpine, gave a nod to that experience upon signing his extension.

“Stress-free contract announcement like always,” Piastri posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Australian is currently 11th in the Driver’s Championship with a career best result of fourth coming at the British Grand Prix in July.

Although he is more than 50 points adrift of teammate Norris, the Woking-based outfit has seen enough to extend his contract.

“He has already proved pivotal to the team.”

McLaren racing CEO Zak Brown called Piastri an “incredible talent”.

Piastri himself said he was excited by what the future might hold, comments that drew some resemblance to Ricciardo in his own early days at McLaren.

“I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years” Piastri said.

“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.”

While Piastri wants the team to be at the front of the grid McLaren will have some work to do.

The team has not had a Driver’s Champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008 and not won the Constructor’s Championship since 1998 when Scot David Coulthard and two-time champion Finn Mika Hakkinen were the lineup.

The team’s last race victory came at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, when Ricciardo took the chequered flag at Monza.