F1 star rookie Oscar Piastri signs new contract with McLaren

Oscar Piastri says he is ‘thrilled’ to have signed a new three-year contract with McLaren after a fantastic start to his Formula 1 career.

The 22-year-old made his much anticipated F1 debut back in March, following a highly successful junior career and a high-profile switch to McLaren from rivals Alpine.

That risk has massively paid off for driver and team, with Piastri’s performances in 2023 solidifying his status as perhaps the sport’s most exciting young prospect.

Though he endured a difficult first few races due to the poor pace of the MCL60, game-changing upgrades from McLaren have turned their fortunes around and since July’s British Grand Prix, the Aussie has been in fine form.

He notably finished fourth and fifth at Silverstone and Hungary, after qualifying on the second row of the grid for both, and finished second at the Belgian Sprint behind only Max Verstappen.

‘I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years,’ Piastri said upon the announcement on Wednesday.

‘I want to be fighting it out at the front of the grid with this team and I am excited by the vision and foundations that are already being laid to get us there. The welcome that I have received and the relationships that I have built make this feel like home already.

‘The team’s consistent commitment in me has made me feel incredibly valued and the desire from the team for me to be part of its long-term future made this an easy decision. To be wanted like that and for the team to show so much belief in me after just half a season, means a lot.’

Piastri already had a contract through to the end of 2024, and with teammate Lando Norris’ deal running till 2025, the British team will have one of the best driver line-ups on the grid for at least the next two seasons.

The F1 season continues this weekend with the Japanese Grand Prix.

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