Mark Webber, manager for Oscar Piastri, has firmly addressed recent speculation regarding the Australian driver’s future in Formula 1. Webber dismissed claims that Piastri is seeking to depart McLaren, stating such talk is ‘nonsense’.
Piastri is currently under a multi-year contract with McLaren, an extension signed in September 2023. This agreement secures his position with the Woking-based team until at least the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Reports from various outlets, including Wikipedia and Las Motorsport, further indicate that Piastri’s contract extends through to the end of the 2028 season.
McLaren’s driver lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season remains stable, featuring both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This continuity is a key aspect of the team’s strategy.
The recent rumors surrounding Piastri’s potential exit have emerged amidst broader paddock discussions. These discussions involve the possibility of Max Verstappen moving to McLaren, which would necessitate a change in the team’s current driver pairing.
‘Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future,’ Webber told RACER. ‘Talk of him agitating to leave is nonsense. There has been a lot of fiction written about him and other teams… McLaren have repeatedly said they want him for the long term and Oscar is focused on that.’
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has consistently expressed satisfaction with his current driver pairing. Brown has stated that he is not actively pursuing the recruitment of Verstappen.
Piastri’s performance during the current 2026 season has been described as underwhelming in comparison to his 2025 campaign, where he finished third in the drivers’ championship.
He encountered early season setbacks, including two consecutive non-starts in Australia and China due to issues with the new Mercedes power unit.
Despite these challenges, Piastri secured a second-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix and achieved a podium result in Miami. He currently holds sixth position in the drivers’ standings.
Piastri has also commented on the new 2026 cars, describing them as ‘unpredictable’ and ‘very different’ to previous generations. He noted the increased tactical demands, particularly concerning power management.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the existence of performance-based exit clauses in both Verstappen’s and Piastri’s contracts. Piastri’s alleged clause could allow him to leave if he finishes outside the top five by the summer break.
