As the 2025 F1 season gets underway, McLaren finds itself in a position of strength, having built a stable foundation both on and off the track, and Andrea Stella and Zak Brown discussed the contract extension of Oscar Piastri in Melbourne on Thursday in a print media session.
One of the key components of this success has been their driver line-up, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris leading the charge.
The recent contract renewal for Piastri underscores the team’s commitment to long-term stability and continued competitiveness in the sport.
McLaren’s stable foundations
McLaren has undergone significant transformation in recent years, evolving into a team capable of consistently challenging at the sharp end of the grid. Under the leadership of Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, the focus has been on creating an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
Stella acknowledged that rival teams have shown interest in McLaren personnel but remained unfazed by it:
“We have noticed a certain interest in our people. In fairness, this is a position that doesn’t upset us. It’s just natural that teams look at finding expertise from each other. But this is even more reason behind our vision for a long-term stability of the team.”
Zak Brown reinforced this point, emphasising the importance of building a culture where people want to stay:
“If someone can get a logo off of our shirt, that’s on us. More power to them. We don’t have a single change on our pit wall this year, we don’t have a single change in our technical leadership, and we don’t have any changes in our driver roster.”
This level of consistency is something McLaren hopes will translate into further success on the track.
Piastri’s contract renewal – a natural step for McLaren
McLaren’s decision to extend Piastri’s contract was, according to Stella, a straightforward one:
“Renewing Oscar onto a longer-term deal seemed, from my point of view, a simple, natural, and consequential decision. It aligns with the vision Zak and I have for the team—one of stability and competitiveness.”
Since joining the team, Piastri has impressed with his maturity and driving ability. His performances have contributed significantly to McLaren’s resurgence, as highlighted by Stella:
“We are world champions because he delivered. The trajectory we have observed in Oscar’s growth was very convincing.”
Brown echoed these sentiments, stating that securing Piastri’s long-term future was an easy decision:
“There wasn’t pressure either side. We know we want stability and visibility moving forward. That puts everyone in a great frame of mind.”
Expectations for Piastri in 2025
With McLaren having cemented itself as a top contender, expectations are high for Piastri to continue his upward trajectory. However, neither Stella nor Brown believe that the extension was conditional on immediate improvements. Instead, they see it as a natural evolution of a successful partnership.
Stella praised Piastri’s growth, highlighting his continued development:
“For someone who’s been in Formula One for two seasons, the level at which he has driven, the level of maturity he has shown inside and outside of the car, has been nothing short of impressive.”
While there is always room for progress, Brown remains confident that Piastri will continue to refine his craft:
“Is there room for improvement in Oscar? Absolutely. Is there room for improvement in Lando? Absolutely. Is there room for improvement in Andrea and I? Absolutely. We’re going to do it together in this great team environment that we’ve created.”
Looking ahead
As the 2025 season kicks off in Piastri’s home country Australia, McLaren finds itself in an enviable position. With a stable leadership team, a highly talented driver pairing, and a clear long-term vision, the team is well-placed to challenge for further success. Piastri’s renewal is a testament to McLaren’s belief in his abilities and their commitment to a strategy that prioritises continuity and growth.
The question now is whether McLaren can convert this stability into sustained dominance on the track. If recent seasons are anything to go by, they are well on their way.
