Oscar Piastri: McLaren driver indicators new contract extension till a minimum of 2028 with reigning F1 constructors’ champions forward of Australian GP

Oscar Piastri has signed a contract extension with McLaren that may preserve him with the crew till a minimum of 2028.

Piastri began racing for McLaren in 2023 having signed the earlier yr, and has agreed a brand new multi-year deal on prime of his present contract which runs till 2026.

The announcement, which comes forward of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities, means Piastri and Lando Norris will likely be team-mates at McLaren for the following three seasons, as Norris’ contract expires on the finish of 2027.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m part of McLaren’s long-term vision. 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,” mentioned Piastri.

“There are such a lot of proficient and particular folks working at MTC who’ve helped me to develop into a Components 1 race winner very early in my profession. Due to this fact, I am very proud to be persevering with to characterize this legendary crew for a few years to return.

“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.”

Piastri has received two races in his F1 profession, final yr’s Hungarian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, and is among the many title favourites for this season with McLaren anticipated to have a powerful automobile.

McLaren are the reigning constructors’ champions and chief government Zak Brown says his crew have the perfect driver pairing on the grid.

“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,” mentioned Brown.

“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 completely elementary in including to our legacy with the 2024 Constructors’ Championship final season, so we’re all excited to see what we are able to do within the years to return as we proceed to struggle for World Championships collectively.”

Will Piastri and Norris proceed to work in unison?

Norris and Piastri seem to have an excellent relationship within the two seasons spent collectively as team-mates however there have been tense moments final yr.

On the Hungarian Grand Prix, Norris was instructed repeatedly to let Piastri by throughout the latter phases of the race after he undercut his team-mate within the pit stops. Ultimately, Norris let Piastri by with three laps to go so the Australian received his maiden F1 race.

Six weeks later in Monza, Piastri overtook Norris on the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix when the pair had been in first and second. In doing so, Norris additionally misplaced out to Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari driver went on to take victory.

After that incident, McLaren declared Norris would get precedence for the rest of the season on account of his place within the Drivers’ Championship. Nevertheless, on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Norris slowed down Sergio Perez to assist Piastri and the latter received the race.

“Further extending our partnership with Oscar is a symbol of our belief and trust in him as a driver, as well as a reflection of our shared ambition to continue in our fight for Championships together,” mentioned crew principal Andrea Stella.

“It has been a pleasure working with Oscar throughout the past two seasons and he has continued to prove how impressive he is in terms of his talent, determination and work ethic as a driver and his contribution to our team and culture as a person.

“Alongside Lando, now we have what we’d like locked in for the long run to maintain pushing ahead. I sit up for persevering with to look at Oscar develop and develop as a driver and know that many successes lie forward for him.”

Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Australian GP schedule

Thursday March 13

• 2.30am: Drivers’ Press Convention
• 5am: The F1 Present: Lights Out 2025*
• 9.45pm: F3 Follow
• 10.55pm: F2 Follow

Friday March 14

• 1am: Australian GP Follow One (session begins at 1.30am)*
• 2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
• 3.40am: Crew Principals’ Press Convention
• 4.45am: Australian GP Follow Two (session begins at 5am)*
• 6.25am: F2 Qualifying*
• 7.15am: The F1 Present*

Saturday March 15

• 12.10am: F3 Dash*
• 1.10am: Australian GP Follow Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
• 3.10am: F2 Dash*
• 4.15am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
• 5am: AUSTRALIAN GP QUALIFYING*
• 7am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
  7.30am: Australian GP Qualifying Replay* (9am on Sky Showcase)
• 9.55pm: F3 Function Race*

Sunday March 16

• 12.25am: F2 Function Race*
• 2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
• 4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
• 6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
• 7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
• 7.55am: Australian GP race replay
• 10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky Showcase)
• 7pm: Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Untold Tragedy

*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion

Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Components 1 season reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime