Piastri on Webber’s impact: ‘He’s beneficial to me and to McLaren’

Oscar Piastri has credited his manager, Mark Webber, with having a significant influence not only on his own development but also on McLaren’s return to Formula 1’s winner’s circle.

Piastri’s journey to the top of motorsport’s elite has been shaped not just by his own talent, but by Webber’s steady hand.

A fellow Aussie and a nine-time F1 Grand Prix winner, the latter’s influence has rippled beyond his protégé, touching the entire McLaren team and helping them reclaim glory as Constructors’ Champions in 2024—their first title in 26 years.

Webber’s pedigree is undeniable. During his tenure at Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, he played a pivotal role in securing four consecutive Constructors’ Championships, even if the Drivers’ title eluded him as teammate Sebastian Vettel dominated.

That experience – knowing what it takes to win at the highest level—has become a priceless asset for McLaren, a team now basking in the glow of resurgence with the MCL39, a car that has emerged as the class of the field in the opening races of the 2025 F1 season.

Lessons from a Legend

Piastri, now knocking on the door of a Drivers’ Championship, credits Webber for more than just personal mentorship.

“That was not just beneficial for me, but beneficial for the whole team to learn how to get to that level [like Red Bull did],” the McLaren charger told The Times.

Webber’s insider knowledge of championship-winning dynamics has seeped into McLaren’s DNA, elevating their strategy, teamwork, and execution.

It’s a legacy of consistency and grit that Piastri and his teammates have tapped into, propelling them to new heights.

But Webber’s role isn’t limited to big-picture inspiration. Behind closed doors, he’s a meticulous guardian of Piastri’s career.

“Behind the scenes, he’s making sure that my contracts are what they should be, just the nuances that you don’t even think about until you’ve experienced it,” Piastri explained.

This attention to detail bore fruit earlier this month when Piastri signed a contract extension with McLaren, committing to the Woking-based squad until at least 2028.

It was a move that silenced whispers of a potential switch to Red Bull, whose team boss Christian Horner has openly lamented letting Piastri slip through his fingers years ago.

A Home at McLaren

For Piastri, though, the idea of leaving McLaren never took root.

“For me, other teams were never even really a consideration,” he said with conviction. “McLaren, firstly from a car perspective, but also just a team environment perspective, is where I want to be.

“A lot of people would want to be here. I’m confident I can win with this team.”

That confidence shines through in his words and his racing, a testament to the nurturing atmosphere Webber has helped cultivate.

“If I wasn’t confident in that, then maybe I wouldn’t have signed this long contract,” Piastri added, underscoring his faith in McLaren’s trajectory – and Webber’s guiding influence.

Piastri’s latest victory in China came just days after the passing of former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan, a man Webber held in high regard. The Aussie revealed on the Formula For Success podcast that Jordan was a passionate admirer of Piastri’s talent and potential.

“He loved Oscar. He always just sent endless messages, which I’ll keep forever, about Oscar coming in and doing what he’s doing,” Webber told host David Coulthard.

“Then, a few days later [after Jordan’s passing], Oscar won in Shanghai. I think that he would have enjoyed that victory as well because he was a big fan of Oscar.

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“But I think he loved the enthusiasm with the youngsters. He wanted the enthusiasm, the passion, and the rawness.

“His heart was still in giving people a crack because he could relate to that, couldn’t he?”

With Webber’s guidance and McLaren’s continued rise, Piastri is well-positioned to fight at the front of the grid for years to come.

His belief in the team, coupled with his talent and Webber’s mentorship, sets the stage for what could be a defining era in his career.

As McLaren pushes forward, Piastri remains focused on one goal – winning, and with Webber in his corner, he has every reason to believe that is within reach.

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