End of an Era: Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber Part Ways
McLaren Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has officially separated from his management team, led by nine-time Grand Prix winner Mark Webber and his partner Ann Webber. The announcement came via a joint statement released on the Monday following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, confirming that both parties had “mutually agreed to terminate their management agreement”. The decision concludes a highly successful partnership that shepherded the young Australian through the junior single-seater ranks and into a front-running seat in Formula 1.
Reflecting on the conclusion of the partnership, Piastri expressed his gratitude for the mentorship that launched his career at the pinnacle of motorsport. Piastri, who is competing in his fourth season in F1, said: “I’d like to thank Mark and Ann for all their support and advice over the years.
“Their guidance has been invaluable, particularly in navigating the beginning of my F1 career. I wish them all the best going forward.”
Mark Webber on Formative Success and Future Ventures
Mark Webber, whose own Formula 1 driving career included stints with Red Bull, Williams, and Jaguar, has served as a central mentor and advocate for Piastri since the duo first joined forces in 2019. Under the Webbers’ guidance, Piastri achieved an extraordinary streak of junior championships, winning the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019, the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2020, and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2021.
Addressing the mutual separation, Mark Webber added: “We are proud to have played a pivotal role in the formative years of Oscar’s career and to have placed him in F1 so that he could compete at the front so early on.
“Following our reduced trackside involvement this season, we have collectively agreed that now is an appropriate time to bring our management agreement to a close.
“This will allow Oscar to build on his achievements under a new management structure, and for us to embark on our new ventures. We wish Oscar all the very best for a long and successful career.”
The McLaren Move and Internal Team Evolution
The defining moment of the Webbers’ management tenure arrived in 2022. After Renault’s rebranded Alpine outfit squandered its opportunity to promote Piastri from reserve driver to a race seat, Mark Webber initiated discussions with McLaren. That maneuver secured Piastri a full-time seat for 2023, replacing fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo. The strategic pivot paid immediate dividends: Piastri achieved two podium finishes in his rookie campaign, claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in Hungary the following season, and mounted a championship challenge alongside teammate Lando Norris in 2025.
The separation follows a visible operational shift over the past season. The Webbers gradually stepped back from their front-line roles at race weekends, transitioning from a constant paddock presence to only fleeting appearances. In their place, key members of Piastri’s inner circle—including his former Prema race engineer Pedro Matos and mental performance coach Emma Murray—have taken on expanded trackside responsibilities.
Why This Matters
Mark Webber’s management was instrumental in engineering one of the most high-stakes driver market coups in recent Formula 1 history, safeguarding Piastri from contractual limbo at Alpine and embedding him directly within a front-running team. Now established as an experienced Grand Prix winner and regular contender at the front of the grid, the 25-year-old Australian is restructuring his professional support system. Operating currently in seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship, Piastri’s move to establish an independent management structure represents a critical milestone in his mature career, enabling him to handle commercial rights, endorsements, and future contract negotiations on his own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber split?
According to their joint statement, the two sides mutually agreed to terminate their management agreement. The decision follows a season in which Mark and Ann Webber had already reduced their trackside presence, allowing Piastri to establish a new management structure while the Webbers pursue new ventures.
When did Mark Webber begin managing Oscar Piastri?
The Webbers began managing Piastri in 2019, the year he won the Formula Renault Eurocup championship and secured a position on the Renault F1 Team junior programme.
Who will manage Oscar Piastri moving forward?
While specific agency names or representatives have not yet been formally revealed, Piastri will operate under a new management structure. His existing inner circle, including mental coach Emma Murray and engineer Pedro Matos, has already assumed broader responsibilities within his trackside entourage.
