Piastri downplays the notion of a 'distance' from Webber following a challenging beginning.

      "Some of those questions come to me more easily now."

      Oscar Piastri has downplayed claims that he has distanced himself from his mentor and manager, Mark Webber, stating that their changing relationship reflects a "natural evolution" as he gains more experience in Formula 1.

      After a disappointing start to the 2026 season, where he did not participate in the first two grands prix, the Australian made a strong comeback in Suzuka, finishing second and calling it "one of my best weekends in F1."

      This improvement occurred amid earlier rumors suggesting that Piastri’s connection with Webber had cooled due to tensions during the 2025 championship when concerns arose regarding McLaren’s management of driver equality with Lando Norris. However, in an interview with Fox Sports in Australia, Piastri clarified that the change is more about his own maturation rather than any conflict.

      "Webber is still very much involved, and I’ve kept in touch with him frequently at the start of the year," he asserted. "As I gain more experience in my own career, I can make certain decisions and pose questions myself."

      "In my first couple of years, there were many inquiries that hadn’t even occurred to me that Mark would ask as if they were obvious to both me and the team. I feel that now some of those questions come much more naturally to me. It’s simply a natural evolution."

      Indeed, Piastri indicated that his growing confidence is directly related to his on-track performances. "I definitely feel more at ease now compared to my first year in F1," he noted. "It’s always been essential for me to be true to myself and not to try to be something I’m not."

      McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also praised what he described as the "strongest Oscar" thus far after Suzuka, commending the 25-year-old’s composure following his tumultuous first races.