Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s rising Formula 1 driver, has confirmed that despite Mark Webber attending fewer races in the 2026 season, the former Red Bull Racing racer remains actively involved in his career. This change comes as Pedro Matos, who guided Piastri through his junior racing years including his successful Formula 2 campaign, takes on a more prominent role trackside.
Piastri Addresses Speculation of Unease Between Him and Webber
Amid ongoing rumors and heightened attention on McLaren’s internal dynamics, particularly during the intense intra-team battle with teammate Lando Norris, Piastri firmly denied any tension or conflict involving Webber. He emphasized that the reduction in Webber’s trackside presence was a deliberate choice rather than a response to a specific incident.
“There wasn’t anything specific that triggered it,”
Piastri told Motorsport Week and other media outlets.
“We just felt it was the right time to structure things a bit differently.”
Webber’s Ongoing Support and McLaren’s Internal Pressure
Webber, who has been a key figure supporting Piastri’s rise through the ranks, including a visible presence during last season’s championship battle, will now focus less on attending races in person. Piastri reassured that their professional relationship remains strong, and communication continues regularly despite the changes in involvement.
“Mark is still very much involved, and I’ve been in contact with him a lot over the last few weeks,”
Piastri clarified.
“He just won’t be trackside as much anymore. So that’s really the extent of it; there’s nothing specific that triggered it.”
Implications for McLaren’s 2026 Campaign and Team Management
As McLaren navigates a challenging 2026 season with shifting roles and intensifying competition within the team, this adjustment in Piastri’s support system highlights evolving strategies behind the scenes. With Pedro Matos stepping up alongside McLaren’s existing personnel, the team aims to optimize guidance for Piastri while balancing internal pressures from rivalries and fan expectations.
This restructuring reflects McLaren’s broader approach to managing drivers and staff amid a critical phase of their Formula 1 campaign, with attention keenly focused on how these changes will impact performance and team harmony moving forward.
