Oscar Piastri parts ways with Mark Webber after seven years together
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has ended his seven-year management partnership with former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber and his wife Ann, RacingNews365 reports. Both sides confirmed on Monday, November 9, that the decision was mutual.
Webber, a nine-time Grand Prix winner, began managing Piastri in 2019, when the young Australian was competing in Formula Renault. Their partnership covered his rapid rise through the junior categories, including consecutive Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships, and his eventual move to McLaren in 2023.
In a joint announcement, Webber explained that his reduced involvement at race weekends this year had contributed to the decision.
«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,» Webber said.
The former Red Bull driver added that the change would allow Piastri to continue developing his career under a new management structure while he and Ann pursued other ventures.
Piastri thanked the couple for helping him navigate his early years in motorsport.
«Their guidance has been invaluable, particularly in navigating the beginning of my F1 career,» he said.
Why Piastri’s management structure changed
The split follows a gradual reduction in Webber’s trackside responsibilities. At the start of the 2026 season, Piastri confirmed that his manager would attend fewer races, although he insisted at the time that nothing specific had triggered the arrangement.
The 25-year-old has instead received more direct support at circuits from Pedro Matos, his former race engineer at Prema during his Formula 2 championship campaign, and performance coach Emma Murray.
Webber also played a central role in one of Piastri’s most consequential career decisions. In 2022, he helped the Australian secure a McLaren seat despite Alpine publicly announcing Piastri as its driver for the following season.
I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
Piastri rejected Alpine’s announcement, and Formula 1’s Contract Recognition Board subsequently ruled that his McLaren agreement was valid.
The move proved successful. Since joining the British team, Piastri has established himself as a Grand Prix winner and emerged as a championship contender.
Speaking about Webber’s influence earlier this year, Piastri acknowledged that his growing experience meant he needed less guidance on racing matters than when he first entered Formula 1.
The management change does not affect his existing multi-year contract with McLaren. Piastri will remain with the team for the final three races of the 2026 season in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with both titles already decided in favour of Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli.
