McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained why Oscar Piastri was instructed to “hold position” when closing in on Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After getting by Max Verstappen on Lap 17, Piastri reeled Norris in with a series of fastest laps.

McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 a year ago, and the season ended with either Norris or Piastri on the top step of the podium in four of the fin

After helping McLaren to a constructor's championship in 2024, Oscar Piastri was rewarded with a multi-year contract worth nearly $26 million per year, according to Racing News 365. The new deal replaces Piastri's contract that ran through 2026 and was set to pay him over $7 million per season.

Oscar Piastri placed the blame on himself after a dramatic spin into the grass at the F1 Australian Grand Prix. His McLaren teammate Lando Norris won the 2025 season-opener in Melbourne. McLaren might have completed a one-two finish, justifying the pre-race hype around their pace, until Piastri’s nightmare moment on his home turf.

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Wearing McLaren orange under soaking plastic ponchos, fans turned up in droves to the Formula One Australian Grand Prix on Sunday with hope of seeing Oscar Piastri end the nation's 40-year wait for a home winner.

Whilst Lando Norris secured the first win of the year, the Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for McLaren's demand for Oscar Piastri to 'hold his position' against his team-mate, contrasting with Zak Brown's message that his drivers are free to race.

McLaren have re-signed Oscar Piastri on a new contract extension, two full seasons before his current deal was due to expire.

Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri's hopes of an Australian Grand Prix victory were dashed after a skid on lap 44, despite a strong start. He finished ninth in a race filled with crashes. Piastri had a chance to break the 'home driver curse,