Weekly Hot Take: Oscar’s McLaren Contract Renewal Previews Team Priorities
Before the opening race in Melbourne, Australia, McLaren extended Oscar Piastri’s current contract. The Aussie is now going to wear papaya until at least 2026, if not beyond. McLaren’s move is extremely strategic and well-timed - Piastri now has extra confidence before his home race, where he placed 4th last year. His performances throughout the 2024 season were spectacular, as he scored 292 points (achieving 4th place in the Drivers' Championship), earned two wins, achieved seven podiums, and claimed one fastest lap.
Oscar Piastri and CEO Zak Brown after Piastri’s first win. Photo courtesy of FormulaRapida.
Following his journey in Formula Renault, Formula 3, and Formula 2, Piastri started his F1 career as Alpine’s reserve driver in 2022. After being the McLaren reserve driver for a year, many different teams wanted to sign him. Christian Horner was one of the main interested parties, and when Piastri signed for McLaren in 2023, Horner was disappointed: “there was an opportunity for Red Bull to look at him at the time and we didn't take up that option, which is something that I regret". Strong reserve drivers often pose a threat to underperforming main drivers, and after Daniel Ricciardo’s unsuccessful season in 2022, Piastri was ready to step in and help rebuild McLaren’s winning dynasty (a situation eerily similar to this year, as some fans speculate that Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto itches to take rookie Jack Doohan’s seat).
F1 is unlike any other sport in the world, as there are only 20 seats and if a driver performs poorly or does not live up to their team’s expectations, they can lose their seat. This is exemplified by the likes of Logan Sargeant, Zhou Guanyu, Sergio “Checo” Perez, and Daniel Ricciardo, who all left during or after the end of the 2024 season. Often, losing an F1 seat means the end of a driver’s career, but depending on a driver’s experience and skill level, they sometimes find another seat or come back in a new role or position. Carlos Sainz, for example, is driving for Atlassian Williams Racing in 2025 after Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton for his seat, and Valtteri Bottas returns to the Mercedes AMG-Petronas F1 team after leaving the team in 2021 and driving for Alfa Romeo/Sauber for 3 years. A contract extension pre-season is not unheard of, but it is a large contrast from last year’s “silly season” of drivers moving to teams all over the grid similarly to a game of musical chairs.
Oscar and Lando congratulating each other after a double podium in Qatar. Photo courtesy of F1.
Lando Norris’ contract was renewed in 2024 when he signed a multi-year contract extension with McLaren. However, it seems to many people that Oscar’s renewal has been more celebrated and publicized than Lando’s. While this may or may not be true, it adds to the fans’ beliefs that tensions might be high in the McLaren garage this season. After Lando’s first F1 win in Miami, he temporarily established himself as head driver of the team; however, as the season went on, both drivers competed to prove themself as the best in the team. Recently, CEO Zak Brown commented that there is no “number one” driver and Piastri agreed, declaring “we’re both number ones.” These guidelines off track ensure that Piastri and Norris are free to compete equally and support the team instead of tearing each other down on-track. Then again, the drivers still need reminders to avoid friendly fire, as shown by the implementation of “papaya rules” during races.
Despite the supposed tensions that may appear throughout the season, I myself hope that McLaren continues to succeed after securing the Constructor’s Championship last year. Melbourne will be an incredible race to watch no matter who wins - but I wouldn’t complain if I saw papaya on the top step. As always, thanks for reading.
Lights out and away we go,
Lucy xx
