Oscar Piastri confirmed as McLaren F1 driver for 2023

McLaren has confirmed the signing of reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion Oscar Piastri for the 2023 Formula 1 season.

The Australian has signed a multi-year deal with the British team and will partner Lando Norris from next season onwards.

“I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me,” Piastri said. “The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid. I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.”

After winning the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup, 2020 FIA Formula 3 and 2021 FIA F2 titles consecutively, Piastri has been one of the biggest names in the F1 driver market this season.

McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl said that he would now be helping McLaren make further steps towards its ambitions over the next few years.

“The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season. He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions. We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead. We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown added that the performances in both F3 and F2 had made him one of the most exciting prospects in single seater racing.

“Oscar is one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team for 2023. Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing. In Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting F1 line-up with a huge amount of potential, standing us in good stead to achieve our future ambitions. Oscar is an exciting addition to the McLaren family, and we look forward to seeing him grow with our F1 team.”