McLaren gives F1 rookie Oscar Piastri multi-year contract extension

Photo: The Canadian Press

McLaren has signed Oscar Piastri to a multi-year contract extension just 15 races into his rookie season.

Piastri has a season-best finish of fourth and with 42 points scored is ranked 11th in the Formula One standings. He signed with McLaren last year after turning down a promotion with Alpine that led to a contractual fight over the 22-year-old Australian.

A review board ruled that McLaren held a valid contract for Piastri, who has raced alongside Lando Norris this season. With the Piastri extension announced Wednesday, McLaren now has both drivers signed through at least 2025.

Before the F1 promotion, Piastri joined George Russell and Charles Leclerc as the only drivers to win both the F2 and F3 championships. He also won the Formula Renault Cup Championship in 2019.

“Stability is a huge advantage in this early part of my career and to have that with a brand as prestigious as McLaren gives me the opportunity to continue the work that we’ve started," Piastri said. “We’ve enjoyed some good moments together in my rookie season. 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.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing