If you think Oscar Piastri’s 2025 title defeat in Abu Dhabi is the end of his story, think again. Because Zak Brown is already sending a clear warning to the rest of the grid: watch out for Oscar in 2026.
Zak Brown’s Big Statement
McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently shared his thoughts on Piastri’s future, and he made it very clear that the Aussie is not going anywhere from the front of the field. Even though Piastri missed out on the championship right at the end, Brown still sees him as a major contender for the 2026 season.
According to Brown, what Piastri showed across the season is more important than what happened in that final race. The consistency, the calm under pressure, and the way he handled a title fight at such a young age are exactly why Brown believes rivals should be nervous.
When asked if “Of course. These guys want to be world champions, and he was so close. So he’s disappointed in that. don’t think he’s disappointed in the season. He should be very proud of the season. He won seven races. Either of them could have won the championship. And it’s a long season, and you get some good luck, you get some bad luck. So he should be immensely proud.”
“I’m excited already for next year because I think Oscar’s a very tough guy, very focused individual. So he has very few areas he needs to improve upon. You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year. He’s still a couple of years younger than Lando. He’s only in his third season. And Lando, this was his seventh season. So Oscar’s going to be a world champion and could be next year,” he added
Why Oscar Piastri Is So Dangerous
Oscar Piastri has already proved that he can fight at the front, handle wheel-to-wheel battles, and stay composed when it matters most. On top of that, McLaren as a team has been on an upward trend, and having a driver like Piastri only pushes the project harder. When your team boss openly says others should “watch out” for you, it shows the level of trust and belief inside the garage.
Losing a title in the final race can either break a driver or turn them into a bigger threat, and Zak Brown clearly thinks Piastri falls into the second category. He believes that experience in a tight championship fight will help Oscar approach 2026 with even more maturity and hunger.
So, if 2025 was the season where Oscar Piastri announced himself as a real championship player, 2026 might just be the year he becomes the driver everyone fears going up against. And judging by Zak Brown’s confidence, the rest of the grid better be ready.
Also read: MotoGP 2026 Team Launch Dates Revealed
