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Oscar Piastri's mum: F1 is "pretty awful to watch"
Emily Benammar • November 19th, 2025 11:49 am
Oscar Piastri’s mum Nicole has hailed the influence of former F1 driver Mark Webber on her son’s remarkable journey in what she describes as an incredibly brutal sport.
With the 24-year-old very much in contention to win the 2025 drivers’ title, it has been a remarkable third full season for Piastri who has seven race wins to his name – the joint most for 2025 alongside teammate Lando Norris.
Nicole, who opts not to travel the global circuit given her three daughters remain in Melbourne as does her business, says it is a huge comfort to her to know someone who truly understands the demands of the sport is with her son.
Webber, who retired from F1 in 2013, enjoyed an 11-year career in the sport, securing nine race wins and 42 podiums across 215 race starts.
He has been mentoring and managing Oscar since 2020 and was the mastermind behind his switch from Alpine to McLaren midway through the 2022 season.
“It's incredible to have an F1 driver mentoring you and someone of Mark’s level,” Nicole told SEN Breakfast. “It’s not just his experience but also Ann Webber’s (Mark’s partner and former manager). She is very much involved, they are the dream team.
“She is the ultimate manager and then (Mark) is the person who has experienced what Oscar is going through. He’s a great down-to-earth Aussie. It’s perfect.
“Oscar benefits enormously. Its incredible company for him to have them there.”
There is no love lost in Formula One. The action on the track and demands on the driver are as brutal as the contracts sagas that happen behind the scenes.
It is cut-throat in every possible way and that, Nicole said, is something her son has had to deal with since he was nine years old.
While many of Oscar’s F1 peers are no strangers to voicing their frustrations, and dissatisfaction, the Australian is frequently praised for his demure and level-headed personality.
Even in adversity he appears cool calm and collected.
“That’s innate in him,” Nicole continued. “He has always been like that. These guys have been doing this – I mean Oscar was nine-years-old – most of them were five.
“Whatever you’re driving, it’s a brutal sport. If someone takes you out when you’re winning you don’t get that back even when it’s not your fault.
“They have had to learn from such a young age this can be such a brutal and unfair sport. And you have to get back in the car and move on.”
Oscar moved away from Australia to pursue his dream when he was just 14-years-old. Sacrifices to help him achieve his dream have impacted every member of the family.
Oscar's father is the one family member most frequently seen in the paddock but for Nicole it’s neither her nor there if she travels or watches from home. It’s “awful” to watch wherever she is.
With just three races to go before her son can return home for an extended break, Nicole said the entire family is relishing Christmas.
“I don’t think it’s easier being there or watching from home,” she said. “It’s all pretty awful to be honest. The toll is that like most athletes they have to move away at a young age and they are a long way away.
“Unlike the European drivers, they can duck home between races and see family, attend birthdays and weddings etc. The Aussies don’t get that.
“We have missed out on a lot of family time. It’s a sacrifice we are all willing to make. I’m certainly not going to sit here and complain about my situation as the mother of an F1 driver.
“The toll is we don’t get to be around him as much as we would like to. I can’t wait to have him home for Christmas. It’s been a long year.”
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW
