Piastri reshapes team with technical advisor as Webber steps back from trackside role

Oscar Piastri is restructuring his inner circle ahead of the 2026 season, with mentor Mark Webber reducing his race-weekend presence and former F2 engineer Pedro Matos joining as a technical advisor. The shift aims to bolster Piastri's performance support as he enters his fourth F1 season with heightened championship ambitions, following a 2025 campaign where he won seven races but ultimately finished third in the standings.

Why it matters:

This strategic recalibration signals Piastri's transition from a promising rookie to an established title contender taking direct control of his performance apparatus. Moving a trusted mentor like Webber to a more strategic, commercial role while bringing in a dedicated technical voice from his successful junior career is a calculated move to eliminate any performance gaps and mount a more sustained championship challenge.

The details:

• Webber's New Role: Longtime manager and confidant Mark Webber is easing away from his trackside duties. He is expected to pivot his focus toward commercial negotiations and long-term contractual strategy, remaining a key figure in Piastri's camp but from a different angle.
• Matos's Integration: Pedro Matos, the engineer who worked with Piastri during his 2021 Formula 2 championship-winning season with Prema Racing, is joining the driver's inner circle. He will provide technical insight and race-weekend guidance.
• Independent Advisor: Matos is not a direct McLaren employee but an external performance advisor, offering a dedicated technical resource focused solely on Piastri's development.
• The 2025 Context: The reshuffle follows a season where Piastri proved his race-winning pace, securing seven victories, but a late-season dip cost him momentum, allowing teammate Lando Norris to clinch the title. This underscores the need for consistent, peak performance across an entire campaign.

What's next:

The restructured team will be tested immediately in 2026. With Webber handling the business side and Matos sharpening the technical feedback, Piastri is positioning himself to convert raw speed into a more resilient title bid. The changes reflect a driver and his management leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of a first World Championship.