Source: Official Team Post via X
Johnny Herbert Advises Oscar Piastri to Take Charge at McLaren Like Mark Webber Did
Johnny Herbert believes Oscar Piastri should emulate Mark Webber's approach at Red Bull to gain more influence within McLaren. With Lando Norris currently leading the team, Herbert suggests Piastri must assert himself to shape the car's development in his favor.
Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver and now a pundit, has suggested that Oscar Piastri take a page out of Mark Webber's playbook to strengthen his position at McLaren. The Australian driver is currently overshadowed by his teammate, Lando Norris, who enjoys a more commanding role within the team. Herbert's advice comes as Piastri faces challenges similar to those Webber encountered at Red Bull Racing, where he had to contend with a teammate who was favored by the team.
Webber's stint at Red Bull is well-documented; he often found himself playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel, who clinched four world championships with the team. Despite this, Webber managed to make his mark by being vocal and assertive about his needs and the direction he wanted the car development to take.
Piastri, despite being a talented driver, has struggled to match Norris's performances in the current season. McLaren's decision to run a shorter wheelbase has not played to his strengths, especially on circuits with low grip. Herbert argues that Piastri needs to step up and influence the team's development choices for 2027 to avoid falling further behind.
"Sometimes, Oscar needs to stand up for himself," Herbert told Vision4Sport. "You've got to be verbal and push your mentality that you want to be the team leader. McLaren is very good at being fair. Some people say they favour Lando, but I don’t think that’s the reality within McLaren. I think there is a definite desire to distribute all the development work on both drivers."
Herbert's advice is timely, as the rumor mill suggests there was tension between Piastri and his manager, Mark Webber, following a failed title bid in 2025. At one point, there were whispers of Piastri moving to Red Bull amid Max Verstappen's rumored restlessness, which didn't materialize as Verstappen renewed his contract.
For Piastri, staying with McLaren means donning their iconic papaya overalls for the foreseeable future. If he wants to become a world champion, taking Herbert's advice could be crucial. Piastri must work closely with McLaren's engineers and management, including Zak Brown, to demonstrate that his input is valuable for the team's success.
It's a tall order, but Piastri's future in Formula 1 might depend on his ability to emulate Webber's tenacity and influence within the team. Whether he can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but Herbert's words could be the motivation he needs to make a significant impact.