“I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years,” Piastri said. “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”
Last Updated: 20/09/23 11:28am
Oscar Piastri has signed a contract extension with McLaren
Oscar Piastri will be staying with McLaren for at least three more seasons after signing a long-term contract extension.
The 22-year-old Australian joined the team in late 2022 after a stellar career in junior formulas which included successive championship triumphs in the 2019 Formula Renault Cup, the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship and the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship.
After retiring in Bahrain on his Grand Prix debut at the start of the year, Piastri has gone on to score six top-10 finishes, with a best result of fourth in the British GP at Silverstone, and he has his sights set on hitting greater heights after extending his contract until the end of 2026.
“I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years,” Piastri said. “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.
“To be wanted like that and for the team to show so much belief in me after just half a season, means a lot.”
The announcement of Piastri’s contract ensures McLaren will retain their current driver pairing until at least the end of the 2025 season, with team-mate Lando Norris having agreed a new deal with the Woking-based outfit in February this year.
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It follows a strong showing for the team at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris secured his third second-place finish of the year and Piastri recovered from qualifying down in 17th to finish seventh.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown was delighted to agree a contract extension with Piastri and believes he is already showing glimpses of his potential.
“He’s an incredible talent and an asset to the team so it’s fantastic to be committing to each other in the long term,” Brown said.
“Oscar is already proving what he can do out on track and has been instrumental in the turnaround we’ve had so far this season.
“He’s fitted 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.”