Oscar Piastri, 21, is delighted to join McLaren next year. The young Australian is grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to make his first-class debut.

It’s been up in the air for a while, but the deal between Piastre and McLaren is done. He announced last month that he would not be driving in the Alpine next year as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo, as Fernando Alonso’s exit made a place available. The Australian was hired as a reserve driver by Alpine this year and has set his sights on a permanent race seat in the premier class, ending up at McLaren.

Satisfying

In the McLaren press release, Piastre talks about the meeting with Woking’s team. “I am very pleased to make my Formula 1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given. The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance and I am looking forward to working with Landau. [Norris] I am working hard to push the team forward,” he enthuses.

Team boss Andreas Seidel is also looking forward to working with Piastre. “The whole team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 season. He has had an impressive racing career so far,” said the German. McLaren CEO Zach Brown was also delighted with the Australian’s mega-talent: “To win both Formula 3 and Formula 2 in consecutive seasons is a real achievement and a testament to his talent. With Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting pair of drivers who have the potential to help us achieve our future ambitions. Oscar completes the McLaren family and we look forward to him growing with our Formula 1 team.”