McLaren has witnessed its fair share of ups and downs, and for rookie driver Oscar Piastri, the start of his F1 career has been a rollercoaster ride. After a highly publicized controversy surrounding his switch from Alpine to McLaren, Piastri hoped to put the off-track drama behind him and focus on his performance. However, his debut season has been marred by a series of setbacks, leaving the young driver frustrated. Despite receiving praise from McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown, Piastri hasn’t hesitated to express his honest opinions.
Oscar Piastri, the 2021 Formula 2 champion, found himself in a media storm when he decided to join McLaren instead of Alpine. Piastri’s impressive junior series titles and the task of replacing an experienced driver added to the mounting expectations surrounding him. However, his rookie year has been far from smooth sailing. He has faced mechanical failures, unexpected clashes, and even battled food poisoning while driving a car that doesn’t perform consistently in certain conditions and on certain tracks.
When asked about the qualities required to fulfill Zak Brown’s vision of him as a “future world champion,” Piastri responded with a touch of humor while providing valuable insight. He quipped in an interview with Race fans, “Being able to drive a car fast? That’s probably the first one.” Piastri acknowledged the significant role of car performance in championship success but emphasized that as a driver, he could influence the outcome by building a strong team and providing motivation. He highlighted the importance of consistency, stating, “Being able to maximize bad days is almost more important than on the good days.”
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Oscar Piastri when asked what his thoughts on Zak Browns comments about him being a “future world champion.”
“Being able to drive a car fast? That’s probably the first one. There’s a lot of things…”#F1 #Formula1 #McLaren #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/YOOxXMLEDU
— McLaren F1 News 🏴🇦🇺 (@TheMcLarenZone) June 15, 2023
While McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown has praised Piastri as a “future world champion,” the young driver remains grounded and realistic about the obstacles he faces. In an ideal world, his debut would have been simpler, but Piastri recognizes that setbacks are common in motorsport. Despite his frustrations, he has kept his composure, showing maturity beyond his years. McLaren is currently undergoing a phase of rebuilding in an effort to reclaim their winning ways.
McLaren’s efforts garner excitement from Lando Norris
Despite boasting an impressive record of 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles, the team has experienced a prolonged drought since their last triumph in 2008, with only a single race victory in the past decade. Determined to reverse this trend, McLaren has made significant personnel changes, attracting prominent names from other successful teams in Formula 1.
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Among the notable additions are David Sanchez, joining from Ferrari, and Rob Marshall, a seasoned member of the Red Bull team. Lando Norris emphasizes the significance of knowledge and personnel in Formula 1, considering it essential to compete against formidable rivals such as Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
Norris remarks, “I think there’s some big names coming in, which is always a great thing, a great addition. People who have been in the sport for many years, who have been a crucial part in success of other teams – a lot of success in other teams.” He recognizes the impact these additions can have on McLaren, stressing the importance of strengthening the team’s force to challenge their competitors.
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Can McLaren’s ambitious rebuilding efforts ignite a resurgence, propelling them back into Formula 1 glory?