'It felt like just a...' - Oscar Piastri opens up on his long-term contract extension with McLaren

Star driver Oscar Piastri cleared his stance after the long-term contract extension with McLaren ahead of the home Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia. In the same line of events, he also played down the hopes of his success in the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Notably, his existing contract with McLaren was until 2026, and there was a year remaining in the current contract. Meanwhile, Piastri signed the contract extension with the British side ahead of taking the track in the upcoming season-opening competition in Australia’s Melbourne.

“It seems like a no-brainer” – Oscar Piastri on contract extension with McLaren

Furthermore, the 23-year-old racer shared his feelings and spoke to media, where he answered a few questions regarding his long-term association with McLaren.

“It felt like just a very natural progression to sign for even longer term. Last year was an incredible year for the team. I think my two years for the team have been pretty incredible, starting from where we were when I joined to being constructors’ champions,” said Piastri to the journalists.

“So, for me, it seems like a no-brainer, and I think it was reciprocated from the team as well,” he added later. 

Besides Oscar Piastri, his teammate and another star McLaren driver, Lando Norris, has also signed a long-term extension with the team. Last year, the duo helped McLaren win their first constructors’ crown since 1998.

Piastri also spoke about the chances of his success in the upcoming Australian Grand Prix and came up with a straightforward statement. 

“I know what you want me to say, and everyone’s headline could be that, but we’ll see. No one knows what to expect. Testing went pretty well, but you don’t know where everybody sits,” he said.

McLaren will have high hopes with their two star racers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, while competing in the first race of the upcoming Formula 1 season. It will be a crucial event for McLaren to start their season on a high note.