Australian Formula 1 driver, Oscar Piastri, has made clear his long-term commitment to McLaren, stating that it was a logical decision to extend his contract despite having two seasons remaining on his previous deal. In the lead-up to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, McLaren revealed that Piastri had signed a contract extension that ensures his position in the team until at least the end of 2025.
McLaren, seemingly eager to ward off any potential interest from competitors, extended Piastri’s contract before the start of the upcoming season. This extension comes after his teammate, Lando Norris, who is now embarking on his seventh season with the Woking-based team, renewed his contract a year earlier.
The successful partnership between Norris and Piastri led McLaren to its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, with Piastri clinching victories in the Hungarian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. Expressing his ambition to contend for the title in 2025, Piastri attributed McLaren’s recent victories to his renewed motivation to assist the team in maintaining its top position.
Piastri expressed his pride in being part of McLaren’s long-term strategy, acknowledging the team’s faith in his skills since his signing in 2022. “The journey we’ve embarked on over the past two seasons to bring McLaren back to the pinnacle of the sport has been extraordinary,” Piastri said.
He further lauded the talented team at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) for their role in his early career success as a Formula 1 race winner. Piastri’s continuation with McLaren is driven by his ambition to compete for major accolades and his hunger to remain at the forefront of the sport, fueled by last year’s impressive achievements.
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, commended the extended contract as a “no-brainer”, praising the champion duo of Norris and Piastri as the best driver line-up on the grid. Piastri agreed, stating that the shared aspiration of both parties for sustained success made the decision to extend his tenure with the reigning champions a logical one.
With palpable excitement, Piastri said, “Even though I had two more seasons left, we decided to extend it further, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Last year was extraordinary. Despite a slow start in my first year with the team, we gained momentum midway through the season. It made complete sense for myself and the team to secure our future together on a long-term basis. I look forward to donning the papaya for many more years, and I’m hopeful of more victories coming our way.”
Piastri’s decision to extend his contract with McLaren reflects his strong desire to help the team continue its winning streak, as well as his personal ambition to emerge as a strong contender for the 2025 championship title.
