Oscar Piastri recognizes the advantage McLaren gains from its steady driver lineup and management structure, a notable edge in the competitive world of Formula 1. This consistency, rare among top teams, contributes significantly to their cohesive performance and resilience amid ongoing changes in rival squads.
McLaren enters the 2025 season with the same driver pairing of Piastri and Lando Norris, marking their third consecutive year together and with plans to continue beyond 2026. This continuity reflects a strategic commitment to stability.
Leadership stability reinforces this foundation, with team principal Andrea Stella securing a multi-year contract extension last August, maintaining his role since F1 2023 began. Similarly, CEO Zak Brown extended his tenure through at least 2030 after signing a new deal early in 2024.
In sharp contrast, McLaren’s closest competitors are navigating significant changes in drivers and management roles, underscoring the rarity of McLaren’s steady environment.
Rival teams facing driver and leadership changes
Ferrari has introduced Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming 2025 season while recently confirming Fred Vasseur as their team principal, ending rumors about his potential departure. Meanwhile, Mercedes replaced Lewis Hamilton with rookie Kimi Antonelli and remains uncertain about George Russell’s contract status, though it is expected Russell will continue alongside Antonelli.
Red Bull has experienced considerable disruption this season. The team initially promoted Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez, but Lawson lasted only two races before switching places with Yuki Tsunoda. Following the British Grand Prix, the long-serving team principal Christian Horner was abruptly removed, replaced by former Racing Bulls principal Laurent Mekies, signaling a significant leadership upheaval for the Austrian outfit.
Oscar Piastri reflects on the value of McLaren’s harmony amid F1 turbulence
When asked about his perspective on the widespread changes and rumors at rival teams, Piastri remarked,
“I’m certainly very happy where I am,”
—Oscar Piastri.
He added that he was content before the waves of movement and speculation kicked off but now appreciates even more how united and strong McLaren is in many aspects. He emphasized that this stability was a valued element even before recent events, noting,
“I think just with more time in the sport, I’m understanding a bit better that stability is not always that common, so it’s nice to have it.”
—Oscar Piastri.
Piastri’s experience with team instability and loyalty to McLaren
Having come through Alpine’s junior driver program, Piastri personally understands how turmoil can affect a driver’s career. His departure from Alpine in mid-2022 was a high-profile and publicized split, revealing he had never formally signed a contract with the team. Shortly after, McLaren offered him a race seat, replacing Daniel Ricciardo, who left before the end of his contract.
This vote of confidence from McLaren fostered a strong loyalty in Piastri. Consequently, despite speculation linking him to Red Bull amid their 2024 difficulties, Piastri remained firmly committed to McLaren. Red Bull’s season struggles saw Perez lose his seat, and their driver shuffle involving Lawson and Tsunoda failed to stabilize the team’s performance, culminating in Horner’s dismissal.
Regarding Horner’s unexpected exit, Piastri reflected,
“I learned, I guess, with everyone else,”
—Oscar Piastri, acknowledging his limited personal impact.
He acknowledged Horner’s achievements with Red Bull, stating,
“But for me, it really doesn’t affect much. I’ve not spent much time thinking about it. It was obviously a bit of a surprise, I guess, or a big change, but it doesn’t affect me.”
—Oscar Piastri.
The significance of McLaren’s stable setup in the competitive F1 landscape
McLaren’s rarity in maintaining consistent drivers and leadership contrasts sharply with the instability other top teams are experiencing, positioning them advantageously to build long-term progress. Stability enables better team cohesion, clearer strategic direction, and fewer distractions, all vital in a sport where precision and harmony directly influence results.
With Piastri and Norris continuing their partnership, supported by Andrea Stella’s and Zak Brown’s enduring leadership, McLaren’s stability could allow the team to consolidate their gains and enhance their performance in coming seasons.
As rivals undergo transitions, McLaren’s focused approach offers a model of resilience, suggesting that maintaining internal harmony can be as decisive as technological innovation when pursuing championship ambitions.