When you watch McLaren driver Oscar Piastri race in Formula 1, it’s hard to believe he’s only completed two full seasons.
McLaren turned heads in the paddock in 2022 when they announced they had poached Oscar Piastri from Alpine’s academy to replace Daniel Ricciardo.
Piastri went viral when he tweeted that he hadn’t reached an agreement with the team who had backed him through some of his junior career, including when he won the Formula 2 championship during his maiden season.
I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
His move to McLaren was confirmed shortly afterwards and from there, the 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength.
Alongside teammate Lando Norris, Piastri helped McLaren win their first constructors’ championship this century in 2024.
Norris and Piastri both won the first Grand Prix of their careers last year – although the Australian tasted victory in his rookie season during the Qatar Sprint Race – and that was enough to fend off Ferrari and Red Bull.
The Brit was Max Verstappen’s closest rival in 2024 without ever truly putting him under serious pressure.
However, Piastri didn’t always make like easy for his teammate in his pursuit of the Dutchman.
Piastri’s exceptional move on the first lap at Monza cost Norris and potentially McLaren victory, while Norris begrudgingly gave up the lead in Hungary to hand the Australian his first win.
Commentator Harry Benjamin was speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the 2025 season about another even more impressive moment from Piastri last year that left him and co-commentator Karun Chandhok stunned.
Harry Benjamin and Karun Chandhok amazed by Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Benjamin was asked what his favourite race to commentate was and replied: “I mean, you know what, Baku last year was incredible.
“Just when you thought the race was going to be a [bit] stale, boom, it came alive.
“And at one point, I think it was Piastri going for the dive on Leclerc and Karun [Chandhok] and I in the commentary box are literally jumping up and down on our feet with elation and how amazing this race is because there’s just so much going on.
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“Baku was really good. Sao Paulo last year was amazing, I mean, obviously minus the long waiting periods and the absolute filler commentary we were doing.
“The actual race and the two Alpines, and Verstappen carving through and Tsunoda was up there.
“It was a chaotic race and those are really quite exciting.”
Oscar Piastri’s victory in Baku proved he’s a world-class talent in Formula 1
Piastri was beaten by Norris when it came to their qualifying head-to-head but in Baku last year, the Australian came out on top on the Saturday that weekend.
He started alongside Charles Leclerc on the front row and for much of the race, they followed each other closely with their cars very equally matched.
However on lap 19, just after both drivers completed their only pit stop, Piastri was in DRS range of the Monegasque driver and dived down the inside, completing the move and then holding Leclerc off for the rest of the Grand Prix.
FULL. SEND.
Here’s the move that won Oscar Piastri the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 👏🍿#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/VUdXIW9lFy
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 15, 2024
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Damon Hill loved Piastri’s battle with Leclerc and praised how the youngster dealt with the pressure on him during the final laps.
The 23-year-old admitted it was the most stressful race of his life but highlighted that when he can’t make a single mistake, he’s able to perform.
The Australian’s performances dropped off towards the end of the year and Peter Windsor is worried about a change in Piastri’s technique.
However, if he can address that, there’s no reason why he can’t create more special moments for McLaren in 2025.
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