Oscar Piastri received important support after a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season. The former driver of the category and current manager of Piastri, Mark Webber, showed full confidence that McLaren will once again provide the Australian with the conditions to compete for the title.
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The statement reinforces the expectation about the team’s potential recovery throughout the season. Even after problems in the first races, the recent performance indicates a reaction.
Piastri had a difficult start, failing to complete laps in the first two rounds. In Australia, he suffered an accident still on the reconnaissance lap for the starting grid, while in China power unit problems prevented both him and his teammate, Lando Norris, from starting.
Despite this, the Australian reacted quickly, finishing second in Japan and third in the Miami GP. The results placed him in sixth position in the drivers’ championship, still far from leader Kimi Antonelli at this early stage of the season.
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Webber highlighted the young driver’s evolution and how he dealt with frustration after losing the title last season: “When you aim very high and come close, you need to learn quickly and recover. That’s how you come back, and that’s what he did,” he said.
The former driver also showed confidence in the team’s development throughout the year: “I have full faith that McLaren will put the car back in the title fight, so Oscar can go further,” he added, indicating that Piastri can still be one of the protagonists of the current season.
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