F1 analysis: Why McLaren star Oscar Piastri is the future of Formula 1
There have been 18 Formula 1 drivers who hailed from Australia, including McLaren star Oscar Piastri.
With his victory at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, he became the fifth Australian grand prix winner.
There have only been two world champions from the country down under, Alan Jones most recently in 1980, and Jack Brabham who won three titles (1959,1960 and 1966).
However, after his statement victory last weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri has certainly caught the eyes of the F1 world.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Harry Whitfield looks at why he could become the third Australian world champion.
First career victory and recent form
No one has scored more points in the European section of the 2024 F1 calendar than Piastri, as the 23-year-old has amassed 146 points.
Included in the recent run of form, was his first career victory in Hungary and his outstanding victory in Baku.
His purple patch has also brought him closer in the drivers’ standings to his team-mate Lando Norris, as he is only 32 points behind him.
His consistent performances have helped McLaren leapfrog Red Bull in the constructors’ championship as well.
The British team has stated recently that Piastri will help Norris in his bid for the drivers’ title, but the Melbourne-born driver is making it difficult for them to enact team orders.
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Cool, calm and collected style
When you think of the coolest and most unbothered driver there has ever been in F1, you think of the 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Yet, Piastri’s demeanor is very similar to that of the Iceman as shown through his radio messages during races.
After his tense victory in Baku where he just managed to hold off Charles Leclerc, the Aussie simply remarked on the radio ‘That was probably the most stressful afternoon of my life’.
However, you wouldn’t have known it as he remained ice-cool throughout the entire battle - his late-breaking move on Leclerc showed extreme bravery and confidence to pull it off.
Path to F1 and rookie season
On his way to F1, Piastri won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 world championships in successive seasons with Prema Racing.
In 2020, he beat Logan Sargeant for the F3 title before winning the F2 title in 2021 by 60.5 points ahead of team-mate Robert Shwartzman.
As an Alpine academy driver, many thought he’d be promoted to F1 with the French-based outfit, but in a shock twist, Piastri signed for McLaren for the 2023 season.
In his debut season, he scored two podiums and a sprint race victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, finishing ninth in the drivers’ standings in his rookie season.
Piastri has continued to impress in 2024 after winning races and consistently finishing inside the top five places.
The next step is to fight for the championship but considering his recent form, composed driving style, and extreme pace, I have no doubts that it won’t be long before he becomes a world champion.
