Piastri Overhauls F1 Support Team for 2026

Oscar Piastri has initiated a restructuring of his support team in preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This significant adjustment involves Mark Webber stepping back from his day-to-day operational involvement.

Webber is slated to transition into a more background capacity, dedicating his focus primarily to contractual aspects of Piastri's career. Concurrently, Pedro Matos is anticipated to assume a more visible trackside presence, having been associated with Piastri since his Formula 2 and Formula 3 days.

This management shift has been deemed 'very important' by Ralf Schumacher, who suggested on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast that it was crucial for McLaren to foster a calmer atmosphere around Piastri. Reports indicate a cooling in the relationship between McLaren's Zak Brown and Mark Webber.

Separately, concerns have emerged regarding the new Formula 1 race start regulations for 2026. Piastri expressed worries that increased turbo lag could lead to starts resembling those in Formula 2, where drivers can lose multiple positions if their launch is imperfect. Schumacher noted that this places greater emphasis on driver skill to manage the clutch and avoid excessive wheelspin.