Oscar Piastri has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with McLaren days before the 2025 season opener in Melbourne.
The 23-year-old has signed a multi-year deal with the Woking-based outfit, extending his existing contract that ran until the end of 2026.
McLaren did not disclose the length of the contract. However, BBC Sport are suggesting that it will run until the end of 2028, which will put Piastri on par with teammate Lando Norris.
The Aussie has been rewarded for his 2024 efforts with a new long-term deal. Piastri helped McLaren secure their first constructors’ title since 1998, winning two races and grabbing eight podiums in just his second season in F1.
Heading into the first race of the 2025 season in the Australian Grand Prix – his home race – Piastri will look to build upon a strong pre-season and kick off the new year with a win.
McLaren are the clear favourites after pre-season testing, with the MCL39 proving to be the strongest on track. With Piastri and Norris on board, the Woking outfit have the tools to mount a challenge for the drivers’ championship.
McLaren fans call for the ‘next world champion’ Oscar Piastri to be prioritised over Lando Norris
Piastri had to take a step back in 2024 as McLaren prioritised Norris in his bid to win the championship. After missing out to Max Verstappen, the team will want to get the edge over the four-time champion this season.
McLaren will keep their ‘papaya rules’ in 2025 – Piastri will not be impressed given he wanted to avoid team orders this year. Knowing the team will intervene at some point, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand the Aussie be prioritised over Norris in 2025 after signing his new contract.
One fan wrote: “Locked in the next World Champion!” while another echoed these thoughts as they said: “I expect that from the 2025 World Champion.”
One user congratulated Piastri as they see him as a driver capable of winning the title: “Future world champion deserves it!!”
Some fans sent a warning to Norris with Piastri’s new deal, claiming this season is the Aussie’s year. One said: “Lando is in trouble,” while another wrote: “Prioritize over Lando. He has the higher ceiling. Lando blew his chance.”
Finally, one Australian fan wished Piastri well for the future and hopes he will be ‘genuinely respected by McLaren: “Congrats @OscarPiastri!!! Love watching your journey from down under on your way to @F1 World Champion. Go Aussie!
“Smart move by @ZBrownCEO & @McLarenF1. Just hope you are genuinely respected & given the same opportunity to win titles. But no doubt Mark [Webber] will keep that in check.”
Oscar Piastri’s incredible 2025 season claim suggests he will not play second fiddle to Lando Norris
With two ‘number one drivers’ on their books, McLaren hope 2025 will be a strong season on their way to the title. But that could cause issues with both of their drivers looking to become world champions.
Norris and Piastri showed last season that they are not afraid of fighting each other on track, often pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable. The former says 2025 is his year after finishing runner-up in 2024, but the latter has the same target.
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Piastri claimed he would be 2025 world champion after McLaren secured the constructors’ championship in Abu Dhabi. Clearly, he is not willing to play second fiddle to Norris and wants to establish himself as McLaren’s lead driver.
A strong start to the season in Melbourne will go a long way. Karun Chandhok backs Piastri to win his home race – something no Aussie has ever achieved in F1 history.
