Last Updated on February 23 2026, 8:24 pm
Webber’s retirement? Changes in Oscar Piastri’s management – Piastri has long relied on the guidance of his fellow Australian, Mark Webber, who has overseen his career since his junior days. However, ahead of the 2026 season, speculation emerged that Webber was preparing to step back.
The reality is more nuanced. While there is no split between driver and manager, there is a structural shift. Webber will reduce his presence at the track and work more behind the scenes, giving Piastri greater independence as he enters a new phase of his Formula 1 career.
The timing of this change has inevitably raised eyebrows in the paddock, with some interpreting Webber’s reduced presence as a form of “retirement” from frontline management.
For Piastri, this change comes at a pivotal moment, as McLaren publicly commits to supporting both him and Lando Norris in the demanding new era of Formula 1.
Webber will remain involved behind the scenes
“There wasn’t any specific reason,” Piastri explained. “We simply decided that things should be a little different. Mark is still involved. He just won’t be at the racetrack as often.”
Strategic decisions and long-term planning will still bear Webber’s influence. The difference is that he will be less visible in the paddock. For some, this change reflects Piastri’s growing maturity, particularly following his third-place finish in the 2025 World Championship.
Webber has had a decisive impact on his protégé’s rise. During Piastri’s time as a reserve at the Alpine F1 Team, Webber secured him a race seat at McLaren. However, Alpine’s public announcement of Piastri as their future driver — without his consent — triggered a contractual dispute that ultimately favoured McLaren. This reshaped the grid and paved the way for Piastri’s rapid rise.
Now, with Webber taking a back seat, the spotlight is fully on performance in a dramatically changing Formula 1 landscape. Considering the rhetoric within the Formula 1 world last year that Piastri was being treated like a ‘number 2 driver’ compared to Norris, something Webber had been very familiar with at Red Bull when paired with Vettel, this ‘retirement’ move might be seen as very bad timing for Piastri going into 2026.
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McLaren promises maximum support in the new F1 era
As the reigning Constructors’ Champions and the team of the 2025 Drivers’ Champion, Lando Norris, McLaren enters the 2026 season with heightened expectations. However, team principal Andrea Stella has adopted a notably cautious approach.
Despite defending both titles, the Woking-based squad insists that it no longer considers itself the benchmark. Although pre-season testing suggested a tightly packed field, Stella remains encouraged by what he saw from the MCL40 in Bahrain.
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Positive signals from the test programme
“We are encouraged by the reliability of the MCL40 and the amount we learnt with each lap,” Stella explained.
The team completed its entire test programme, focusing on core functionality, durability, and systematic setup exploration. Central priorities included long runs, aerodynamic mapping, tyre analysis and power unit optimisation.
According to Stella, incremental gains were achieved each day.
“It’s encouraging to see that we’ve been able to improve the car’s performance day by day. We now have a clear picture of the car’s potential as we enter the new era of Formula 1.”
For a team defending championships, steady progress may prove more valuable than headline lap times. It is also important to remember that McLaren, Williams and Alpine, the other teams running the Mercedes engine, had been using an older version compared to the Mercedes works team, so there will be additional lap time to be had in Melbourne for the first Grand Prix of 2026 in March.
Greater role for drivers under new regulations
The 2026 regulations represent a technical revolution, particularly with regard to the power unit. Energy deployment and hybrid management have become significantly more complex, placing additional responsibility on drivers.
Stella made a clear commitment: “We are committed to giving Lando and Oscar the tools to extract maximum performance.”
Drivers must now manage the power unit intensively without compromising lap times or racecraft. This balancing act could be the key to success in races. McLaren is working closely with Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) to refine engine control systems and software tools.
“HPP has done a good job so far,” Stella noted, emphasising the importance of close collaboration between the pit wall and the cockpit.
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A defining season lies ahead
For Norris, defending his first world title brings fresh pressure. For Piastri, it is an opportunity to turn potential into consistent title contention. McLaren’s strategy is clear: technical development and driver empowerment must evolve together.
With Webber moving into a more behind-the-scenes advisory role and Stella publicly supporting both drivers, McLaren is combining stability with ambition. Only time will tell if this balance will be enough to stay ahead in what promises to be one of Formula 1’s most unpredictable new eras.
NEXT ARTICLE – Lewis Hamilton & Charles Leclerc Have a Massive Advantage in 2026?
Pre-season testing rarely provides definitive answers, but it can sometimes reveal structural changes. In Bahrain this week, during preparations for the 2026 campaign, Ferrari did not just look competitive; it looked fundamentally different, even to the previous week of testing. But it isn’t just the peculiar rear wing 180 rotating drag reduction, or the odd gearbox wings with their swept back drive shafts that have the paddock talking this evening.
Most striking was the visual evidence from practice grid starts today that seem to suggest Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may hold one of the most decisive advantages of the new regulatory era.
During multiple launch simulations at the Bahrain International Circuit, Ferrari-powered cars surged forward with striking immediacy. Hamilton, who was lined up several rows back in one evening simulation, sped through the pack before the first braking zone.
Even accounting for empty grid slots and varied engine modes, the difference in initial acceleration was clear. Engineers and team personnel watching trackside were struck by how cleanly and predictably the red cars delivered power compared to rivals that appeared momentarily hesitant.
This was not an isolated incident. The Ferrari-powered Haas of Esteban Ocon also demonstrated strong and consistent launches. What stood out was consistency. While some competitors struggled to find the right engine rev window or appeared to balance turbo preparation with hybrid deployment awkwardly, Ferrari’s system appeared composed and responsive…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
A senior writer at TJ13, C.J. Alderson serves as Senior Editor and newsroom coordinator, with a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing. Alderson’s professional training in media studies and experience managing content teams ensures TJ13 maintains consistency of voice and credibility. During race weekends, Alderson acts as desk lead, directing contributors and smoothing breaking stories for publication.
