Oscar Piastri made his highly-anticipated debut in the Formula 1 championship in 2023 with the McLaren team. The Australian driver took the place of his fellow countryman at the Woking-based squad. Since then, the 22-year-old has impressed with his solid performances against his teammate. McLaren Team Principal has expressed his admiration for Piastri’s potential for the future.
Stella praised Piastri’s ability to improve and mentioned that the young driver showcased his skills during a challenging race at Albert Park. Despite controversial team orders, Piastri finished just behind his teammate, who secured the team’s first podium of the season. Stella highlighted the importance for F1 drivers to adapt to different conditions and anticipate potential problems before they arise.
The McLaren team boss believed that Piastri had excelled in this aspect. Compared to his rookie season with the team, the Australian driver now had a better understanding of how certain conditions could impact his performance. The race at Albert Park proved to be difficult in terms of tire degradation, and Stella commended Piastri for managing his tires effectively to avoid graining.
Stella also emphasized the significance of drivers knowing the limits of their tires, even if it meant being slightly faster by just one kmph. According to him, this level of fine-tuning only comes with experience in Formula 1. Oscar Piastri has established himself as a promising talent on the current grid and secured a long-term contract with McLaren. As he aims to solidify his position within the team, fans eagerly anticipate his upcoming performances.