Oscar Piastri wanted to show that he was not a “soft” driver
The McLaren driver proved in his first Formula 1 season that he rightfully belongs among the elite of motorsport. The Australian has unveiled his formula for taking on the world's best drivers.
Oscar Piastri couldn’t have dreamed of a better rookie season in Formula 1: a sprint race victory in Losail, two consecutive podiums at the Japanese and Qatari Grand Prix, and even the title of Rookie of the Year 2023. The Australian finished ninth in the drivers’ championship this season, receiving praise from the F1 community.
« Show people that you are not a weak driver »
The McLaren driver had to fight multiple times in his rookie season, where he wanted to show the other drivers that he wouldn’t be easy to beat. The young Australian still remained respectful towards his more experienced colleagues, and he believes that he wasn’t underestimated by them: “At the beginning of your career, it’s always important to show people that you’re not a pushover because it’s not a good thing to be one”, declared the McLaren driver in Autosport. “Of course, there’s an element of respect […]. I guess I always try to race against others fiercely, but in a fair way”, continued the Australian.
Despite not letting himself be pushed around on the track, Oscar Piastri still believes that he has found a good balance on the track by not being too aggressive. “I don’t think I am too tough or aggressive or anything like that,” the Australian explained. “In my junior career, an important aspect of my championships was to avoid trouble and be consistent,” added the McLaren driver. “So, it’s always been something that I have tried to keep. I just tried to race hard but fair,” Piastri concluded.
The Australian driver took part in several wheel-to-wheel battles this season, including a duel against Yuki Tsunoda, which saw the Japanese driver from AlphaTauri spin out after a contact with Piastri at the first corner on the 49th lap of the Mexican GP. Furthermore, he showed great team spirit when it was necessary to follow team orders and let his teammate Lando Norris pass: the rookie did not hesitate to listen to these instructions and apply them. Finally, he did not receive any penalty points on his FIA license, which demonstrates the young driver’s mastery in crucial moments.
The Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion continues his learning at the highest level and dreams of a very first Grand Prix victory in 2024.
