Piastri reveals key to staying unaffected in rookie F1 season

AUSTRALIAN Oscar Piastri has brushed off any external pressure for him in his maiden Formula 1 season.

The former F2 champion got his McLaren career underway with a tough start in his first official race last weekend in F1 in Bahrain, struggling to keep pace with McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Although the McLaren car looked well below the pace in the practice sessions, Piastri struggled to handle the car going into the sharp corners, losing crucial lap times in the process.

Despite this, Piastri remains calm about the expectations placed on him this year and acknowledged his result in the junior categories gives him all the confidence he needs.

“I think in terms of my junior results, obviously it’s been my ticket to F1, so I think for me it’s only a good thing that I can look back at with confidence,” Piastri said.

“I think regarding the contract situation last year, I think it’s closed and it’s pretty clear cut, so I don’t think that aspect, in particular, adds anything.

“I think obviously there’s an element of expectation, but I think that’s to be expected for a rookie. We’re one of 20 drivers in Formula 1 so there’s always going to be a lot of eyes on us.

“So, I don’t think that’s really been affected too much.”

Piastri stated his enjoyment during his early start at McLaren but noted the battle of adjusting to such a large-scale team.

“Yeah, it’s been great so far, settling in well. Obviously been with the team at the back end of last year a little bit, I spent a lot of time at the factory this side of Christmas as well,” he said.

“It’s been good, everyone’s been very welcoming, I’m getting to know the whole team better and better every day and yeah, it’s nice to be finally back to the racetrack driving.

“It’s definitely a step up, I think, coming from the junior categories.

“Firstly the size of the team is a lot bigger by a magnitude of 10 or more, that side of things takes getting used to, just trying to remember hundreds and hundreds of people.

“But also just being one of two drivers in a team where you make your own car, you don’t get given the car by a manufacturer of a series, and that’s I guess a nice privilege to have and nice to be able to have some input into that.

“It’s nice to be calling myself a Formula 1 driver.”

– BY DOMINIC CRINITI/ SEN