Oscar Piastri’s main objective for the upcoming 2024 season will be to match the performance of his teammate Lando Norris.
The young Australian Formula 1 sensation had a remarkable season in 2023, establishing himself as the most promising talent on the grid. He achieved multiple podium finishes and even secured a victory in a sprint race, making it the best rookie season in the sport’s history since 2007. As he enters the 2024 season, Piastri feels more determined and focused than ever to excel.
The team principal of McLaren had nothing but admiration for Piastri, acknowledging his outstanding performance as the Rookie of the Year in 2023. When comparing Piastri’s performance to his previous year in Bahrain, the team has noticed a significant improvement in what the Italian driver refers to as “self-awareness.” This includes understanding the limits of the car and his own limits as a rookie.
When asked about Stella’s perspective and observations, Piastri fully agreed. He believes that having a point of comparison provides a quicker and more accurate baseline for identifying whether any issues lie with the car or with the driver. Furthermore, since many aspects remain unchanged from the previous year, it becomes easier to recognize patterns. Piastri also emphasizes that self-awareness improves significantly with a year of experience in any specific field.
Despite encountering some minor technical difficulties during testing, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri confidently asserts that the McLaren MCL38 deserves a place at the front of the Formula One grid. Although Piastri and his team did not complete the entire testing session, they observed that Red Bull’s RB20 maintained a consistent pace and exhibited better tire wear. This suggests that Red Bull may have a significant advantage in the upcoming Grand Prix races. However, Piastri believes that their car, at the very least, should be competing at the front of the grid. During a media interaction, he expressed his views on the matter.
Piastri anticipates a unique season ahead, with outcomes varying depending on the characteristics of each circuit, particularly the condition of the Tarmac. While Red Bull seems to have a strong performance, it remains challenging to determine the current positions of other teams. According to Piastri, it is difficult to gauge the overall standings of the competitors at this point in time.
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