Piastri and Webber agree to end management partnership

Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber have brought their management partnership to an end, with the Australian driver and his long-time mentor mutually agreeing to part company after seven years together.

The announcement marks the conclusion of a relationship that played a defining role in Piastri’s rapid ascent through the junior categories and into Formula 1, where he has established himself as one of the sport’s leading talents.

Webber, alongside his wife Ann, who previously managed the former Red Bull driver’s own racing career, took Piastri under their wing in 2019.

At the time, the youngster was making his mark in the junior ranks, having narrowly secured the Formula Renault Eurocup championship and earned a place in Renault’s young driver programme.

What followed was an extraordinary progression. Piastri captured the Formula 3 crown in 2020 before dominating Formula 2 a year later, winning both championships as a rookie and confirming his credentials as a future F1 star.

From junior sensation to McLaren frontrunner

Webber’s influence extended well beyond Piastri’s performances on the track. His guidance proved instrumental in one of the most consequential decisions of the Australian’s career: walking away from Alpine’s junior programme and securing a race seat with McLaren for 2023.

That move ultimately provided Piastri with the platform to challenge for the world championship in 2025. In 88 Grand Prix starts, he has accumulated six pole positions and nine victories, cementing his reputation as a formidable competitor.

Reflecting on their time together, Webber paid tribute to the achievements they had built together and the role his management company played in accelerating Piastri’s career.

“We are proud to have played a pivotal role in the formative years of Oscar's career and to have placed him in F1 so that he could compete at the front so early on,” Webber said.

“Following our reduced trackside involvement this season, we have collectively agreed that now is an appropriate time to bring our management agreement to a close.

“This will allow Oscar to build on his achievements under a new management structure, and for us to embark on our new ventures. We wish Oscar all the very best for a long and successful career.”

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Piastri was equally gracious in acknowledging the contribution made by Webber and his wife, whose support had been particularly important during his transition from the junior formulas to the demands of Formula 1.

“I'd like to thank Mark and Ann for all their support and advice over the years,” he said.

“Their guidance has been invaluable, particularly in navigating the beginning of my F1 career. I wish them all the best going forward.”

A gradual separation during 2026

The announcement formalises a change that had already been taking shape over recent months.

Webber stepped back from his regular trackside duties at the beginning of the 2026 campaign, leaving Piastri to work with a different support structure during race weekends.

Among those now assisting the McLaren driver are Pedro Matos, his former race engineer at Prema in Formula 2, and mental coach Emma Murray.

The shift had prompted questions about Webber’s reduced presence in the Australian’s corner, but Piastri was keen to play down any suggestion of a disagreement when he addressed the situation back in February.

“There wasn't anything specific, just we made a decision for things to look a bit different,” Piastri said ahead of the start of the 2026 season.

“Mark is still very much involved and I've been in contact with him a lot over the last few weeks. He just won't be trackside as much anymore. So that's really the extent of it.

“There was nothing specific that triggered it.”

That gradual adjustment has now evolved into a complete separation of their professional interests.

For Piastri, it opens a new chapter as he continues to establish himself at the sharp end of Formula 1, while Webber and Ann turn their attention to other ventures.

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