Webber reveals how F1 greats shaped his guidance of Piastri

Mark Webber’s role in Oscar Piastri’s career goes beyond typical management. The nine-time Grand Prix winner is passing down hard-earned knowledge from his own F1 journey, shaped by some of the sport’s greatest champions.

Why it matters:

Surviving the brutal first years at the top is crucial for any young driver. Webber’s own longevity and the lessons he absorbed from the sport’s elite give him a unique ability to help Piastri navigate that critical phase.

The details:

• Webber believes the first two or three years are the hardest in any sport. “If you can get through those, you’ve broken your way through,” he said on the Straight Talk with Mark Bouris podcast.
• He sees a long career as proof of standards and discipline, and feels that knowledge should be shared. “You need to give back a bit,” he said.
• Guiding Piastri: Webber steered the Australian through his junior-to-F1 transition, including his move from Alpine to McLaren, and calls the experience “so enjoyable.”
• A melting pot: Webber’s advice blends lessons from Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton, plus encounters with Lance Armstrong and Maria Sharapova. “It’s a melting pot of information,” he explained.

What's next:

Webber has stepped back from regular trackside duties, with former F2 engineer Pedro Matos and performance coach Emma Murray now handling race-weekend support. But he remains Piastri’s manager, ensuring his accumulated wisdom continues to shape the young Australian’s path.