It is now official: Oscar Piastri has extended his contract with McLaren through a multi-year renewal.
The Woking stable has also adjusted the salary of the Australian driver, who will receive around 20 million pounds per year.
This news also sends out an important message, namely that the team is betting on the 23-year-old ‘for the long term’, as stated in the announcement: but what could all this mean for Lando Norris?
A fight to shine out of the sidelines
The number 4 grew up in McLaren's youth programme, eventually making it to Formula 1 and leading the team to its first constructors' title of the new millennium.
Yet, he has proven to be extremely fragile from a mental health point of view, struggling with handling the pressure. For 2025, Norris says he is ‘ready to fight for the World Championship’; but what if he isn't?
Has Lando reallu managed - in the space of a few months - to find a psychological strength he never had? If so, that would be fantastic for him; but he still has to prove it.
The news of Piastri's renewal, both in terms of timing and contract details, represents the first important test to understand whether the Briton has really found a way to deal with any kind of ‘threat’ to his state of mind. We just have to wait for answers on the track (starting this weekend, with the Australian Grand Prix) to find out.
Read also: Netflix's unusual response to Drive To Survive «fake drama» allegations
Read also: Australian GP: what happened the last time Melbourne hosted the season opener
