Oscar Piastri caused an uproar last year when he switched from Alpine’s junior program to McLaren. In his first season in Formula 1, the Australian is therefore under a lot of pressure.
In order to be well prepared for his debut year, the 21-year-old sought advice from his advisor and ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Webber.
“I received a lot of advice from Mark. I shouldn’t underestimate the challenge of Formula 1. It’s obviously a big step up compared to what I’ve driven before and it’s also a different dynamic,” revealed Piastri loudly “GPFans”.
Formula 1 rookie Piastri has settled in well at McLaren
Piastri, who took over the McLaren seat from compatriot Daniel Ricciardo, also revealed it will be the first time a race car has been paid for. This is an added bonus and “pretty cool”.
Between the end of last season and the start of the new one, he has settled in well with his new team, the Australian continued.
Speaking at the team presentation at McLaren’s Woking plant, he said: “The time I spent at the plant and in the simulator was enjoyable and productive and everyone on the team gave me a warm welcome. I’m fully focused now looking forward to hitting the track in Bahrain.”
Piastri promises “memorable” year
The 21-year-old said he was particularly looking forward to his home race in Melbourne. He’s also eagerly awaiting the circuits in Las Vegas and Spa-Francorchamps.
Piastri wants to collect as many points as possible with the McLaren team in 2023. These will also be necessary, because after a positive trend in recent years, the past season was rather disappointing.
With the new car and Lando Norris as a team-mate, the young Australian wants to make a splash in his first season: “The MCL60 is very impressive, it’s an evolution of last year’s car. And it’s going to be a memorable year, not just for me in my Rookie season but also for the team celebrating 60 years of McLaren Racing.”