Mark Webber is stepping back from his trackside support duties for McLaren driver Oscar Piastri ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, focusing instead on commercial and contractual matters. This change comes as Piastri reinforces his support team by bringing in Pedro Matos, his race engineer from his victorious 2021 F2 campaign, to provide closer race weekend assistance.
Oscar Piastri, the Australian racer, is entering his fourth F1 season with McLaren after joining the team before the 2023 season. Following two wins in 2024, Piastri emerged as a serious title contender in 2025, matching teammate Lando Norris with seven victories during a dominant season for McLaren.
At one point in the 2025 season, Piastri enjoyed a 34-point advantage in the championship standings after Norris retired at the Dutch Grand Prix. However, a decline in performance in the closing races limited him to just three podium finishes in the final nine events, and he ultimately placed third behind Max Verstappen and Norris, who clinched his first world title in Abu Dhabi.
Changes in Oscar Piastri’s Team for the 2026 Season
Piastri has long been managed by Mark Webber along with his partner Ann Neal, with Webber frequently present at races both as a former Red Bull driver and F1 television pundit. However, ahead of the 2026 season, Webber will attend fewer races, delegating the day-to-day trackside support primarily to Pedro Matos.
Pedro Matos, originally from Portugal, played an instrumental role in Piastri’s success during the 2021 F2 season as his race engineer at Prema, guiding him to six wins and clinching the championship. Matos is now providing expert support on race weekends independently of the McLaren team as part of Piastri’s extended support network.
Alongside Matos, Piastri will continue to work with Emma Murray, an Australian sports psychologist known for her contributions to athlete performance. These additions aim to offer Piastri comprehensive assistance both on and off the track.
Context Around Piastri’s Career and Team Dynamics
Oscar Piastri built his reputation by winning the F3 and F2 titles in consecutive years, an achievement matched previously only by drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Audi F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto later repeated the feat in 2023 and 2024.
Piastri’s progress has benefited from the steady backing of his management team and the strategic inclusion of technical experts, mirroring the career paths of notable drivers. With McLaren poised to enter the 2026 season with Piastri and Norris lineup, the revised support structure could be important for sustaining competitiveness in a challenging 24-race calendar.
Mark Webber’s decision to focus on contractual and commercial efforts while entrusting race weekend duties to Matos is expected to provide Piastri a sharper operational setup. This strategic shift emphasizes enhanced technical and psychological support as Piastri aims to build on his achievements, challenging for the highest honors in Formula 1.
