Piastri breaks silence on rumored inner circle changes ahead of 2026 season

13:50, 20 Feb

Updated: 14:20, 20 Feb

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byTobia Elia

Oscar Piastri has explained how his management inner circle has been reshaped ahead of next season.

“Mark (Webber) is still very much involved and I've been in contact with him a lot over the last few weeks”

- Oscar Piastri

Webber will continue to be part of Piastri’s corner in 2026

The McLaren driver was keen to address recent rumours surrounding an alleged change in his management team, clarifying that Webber will remain actively involved this season, albeit in a slightly different role.

“There wasn't anything specific. We made a decision for things to look a bit different. Mark (Webber) is still very much involved and I've been in contact with him a lot over the last few weeks."

He finally added: “It just won't be trackside as much anymore. That's really the extent of it. There was nothing specific that triggered it.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Piastri warns FIA: 2026 F1 cars a ‘recipe for disaster’ without reform

Piastri has urged the FIA to reconsider elements of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, warning that having the full grid running under the new rules could prove problematic.

The McLaren driver explained that some of the characteristics built into the next-generation cars — such as drivers being forced to lift on straights — go against what racers naturally want to do behind the wheel. While he acknowledged that certain aspects are now difficult to change, he stressed that the combination of reduced downforce, slower overall performance and increased power delivery out of corners will inevitably make the cars more challenging and unpredictable to drive.

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