Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has announced major changes to his management setup as he prepares for the 2026 season. While former F1 racer Mark Webber will remain his manager, Webber will step back from active trackside responsibilities to focus on commercial matters, signaling a strategic shift in Piastri’s support system.
Key Additions to Strengthen Piastri’s Team Dynamics
Central to this restructuring is the return of Pedro Matos, who served as Piastri’s race engineer during his successful 2021 Formula 2 season with Prema. Alongside Matos, mental performance coach Emma Murray will increase her attendance at races, providing enhanced psychological support. This combination aims to bolster Piastri’s performance under the increasing pressures of Formula 1 competition.
Reasons Behind the Change and Ongoing Role of Mark Webber
Addressing the changes, Piastri explained,
There wasn’t anything specific, we just made a decision for things to look a bit different.
During pre-season testing in Bahrain, he reassured that Webber continues to play a vital role, despite reduced trackside presence, stating,
Mark is still very much involved and I’ve been in contact with him a lot over the last few weeks. He just won’t be trackside as much anymore,
reflecting trust in his revamped management team.
Testing Experiences and Learning Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
Closing pre-season testing in Bahrain, Piastri looked ahead to his home race at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8. He acknowledged the challenges faced during testing periods, saying,
I think it’s definitely been a learning curve,
and added insight about adapting to the sport’s evolving demands:
There are still some things we need to do as drivers that are certainly very different from what we had to do last year.
Optimism and Expectations As the 2026 Season Approaches
Despite uncertainties, Piastri remains hopeful about the progress made, anticipating positive results from both himself and his team. He expressed eagerness for the upcoming race weekend, stating,
I think we are making progress. Let’s see what Melbourne’s like!
With this fresh management direction, Piastri is positioned to make a notable impact in Formula 1 as the new season begins.
