“A no-brainer”: Oscar Piastri discusses his contract extension with McLaren

The transfer market for the 2024 season Formula 1 had been launched even before the first Grand Prix with an announcement as incredible as it was unexpected: the upcoming transfer of Lewis Hamilton in FerrariA year later, history repeated itself: it wasn't until the first race that an announcement was made, coming from the constructors' world champions as well.

This time, however, it is not a question of a transfer of the century, but rather a confirmation of an already established fact: Oscar piastri is not likely to leave McLaren soon. While the Australian had a contract running until the end of 2026, he signed a new multi-year lease, the duration of which has not been specified, but which binds him to the Woking team at least until 2028.

ALSO READ > Why McLaren decided to extend Piastri's contract for "several seasons" and so early in the year

McLaren secures its drivers for the long term

The timing of the decision is surprising, even before the start of the season, but the reasons that led the two sides to agree are not particularly surprising. Oscar Piastri has no interest in leaving a team that has just won its first Constructors' title of the 21st century and is being touted as the team to beat this season after the Bahrain test. On the other hand, McLaren has, in the Australian, an incredibly talented young driver, who has won successive titles in F3 then in F2 and winner of a sprint race in his first season in Formula 1. Author of his first two victories on Sunday in his second year (in Baku and Budapest), the Melbourne native showed that he has a bright future ahead of him.

In order to avoid any possible rumors, McLaren made sure to protect its driver, as it did last year with Lando NorrisInitially tied to Woking until the end of 2025, the Briton signed a new multi-year contract at the beginning of 2024. Oscar Piastri assures that his extension was a no-brainer in order to commit to the long-term future with the papaya team.

“I think my two years with the team have been pretty incredible, going from where we were when I joined the team to becoming Constructors' World Champions today.” rewind number 81. “It made a lot of sense for me to try to continue this adventure and build even more with the team. Obviously, Lando and I are here for the long term now. Andrea (Stella, Team Principal, Editor’s note) has a long-term contract, as do Zak (Brown, McLaren CEO, Editor’s note) and the key members of the technical department. So yes, for me it was a no-brainer, and I think it was also felt the same way by the team.”

Get Oscar Piastri's Australian cap!

Piastri, first Australian on the podium at home? 

Oscar Piastri begins his third season with McLaren, not without ambition, especially with his home Grand Prix as the opening: the opportunity to make a strong impact on home soil, where no Australian has ever stood on the podium... "I know what you want me to say, and anyone could make a headline out of it, but we'll see." jokes the placid Piastri when asked if he will be the one to overcome the curse. "Honestly, no one really knows what to expect. The trials went pretty well, but we don't know where everyone really stands."He says. “I think we’re pretty happy with how our testing went, but like we said, Melbourne is a completely different track. The weather will be different to Bahrain and will probably change by the hour. So yeah, it’s going to be an interesting weekend, for sure. Hopefully we’ll be well placed at the front. Will it be right at the top? We’ll see on Saturday. Not much longer to wait.”

The McLaren drivers will start, whatever they say, with the favorites' sign attached to their MCL39s, which Max Verstappen once again emerged as the fastest at a press conference this Thursday. But as Oscar Piastri said, we'll have to wait until Saturday to find out for sure, while the rain expected on Sunday could level out the performances.

ALSO READ > Will Oscar Piastri break the Australian drivers' home curse?