Grand Prix winner Oscar Piastri (McLaren): split from manager Mark Webber

The Australians Mark Webber and Oscar Piastri are going their separate ways, at least as far as management is concerned. Former Red Bull Racing driver Webber (now 50) has been managing his compatriot Oscar Piastri (25) since 2019.

Ironically, both Australians have won nine Grand Prix each and have both finished third in the World Championship: Webber in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and Piastri in 2025.

Piastri said: “I’d like to thank Mark and Ann for all their support and advice over the years. Their guidance has been invaluable, particularly in helping me navigate the early stages of my F1 career. I wish them all the best for the future.”

Webber comments: “We are proud to have played a pivotal role in the formative years of Oscar’s career and to have brought him into Formula 1 so that he could compete at the very top so early on.”

“Following our reduced involvement at the track this season, we have jointly decided that now is the right time to bring our management agreement to an end.”

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

It is thanks to Mark Webber that Piastri became a Grand Prix winner with McLaren. In the summer of 2022, Webber set this course for his protégé: as it was unclear at Alpine whether Oscar Piastri would actually be competing in Grands Prix, the young racing driver made a surprise move to McLaren on the advice of his experienced compatriot.

Many in the motor racing world had agreed years ago: the next new Grand Prix winner from Australia would be Oscar Piastri.

The young Piastri had clinched the title straight away in three consecutive years across three different formula categories – the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019, the Formula 3 Championship in 2020, and then victory in Formula 2 in 2021. A fast track to the premier class!

This impressive run only came to a halt at the end of 2021: although Alpine announced in November 2021 that Piastri would become a test and reserve driver, it was clear that there would be no race seat for the up-and-coming driver in the 2022 season. Piastri was put off until 2023, and Alpine’s management were certain – we’ve got this gem in the bag.

Unfortunately, Alpine underestimated the fact that superstar Fernando Alonso would simply up and leave for Aston Martin. The French still saw no cause for concern; after all, they had Piastri. No, they didn’t, as became apparent shortly after the Alonso coup. Alpine announced that Piastri would be on the F1 grid in 2023. But the young driver issued a denial almost immediately.

Against the backdrop of all the contract wrangling with Alonso, Piastri’s adviser Mark Webber had asked the legitimate question of just how determined Alpine really would be to give Oscar a seat for 2023. Neither Webber nor Piastri found the prospect of two years’ apprenticeship at Williams particularly appealing.

So, on Mark Webber’s advice, Oscar signed a contract with McLaren to drive alongside Lando Norris in 2023. A public mudslinging match ensued, in which Piastri was accused of a lack of loyalty. The truth is closer to this: this is Formula 1; a driver seizes an opportunity when it presents itself.

The FIA’s Contract Dispute Panel assessed the situation as follows: the agreement with McLaren is lawful, and that’s that. Piastri was already behind the wheel of a McLaren at the 2022 post-season test in Abu Dhabi. The rest is part of Formula 1 history.