Reaching Formula 1 is a dream of many racing drivers and despite a little uncertainty Oscar Piastri made it. However, there were never any doubts regarding Piastri’s journey to the premier class given his past performances. The Australian fulfilled the first part of his dream by making his F1 debut. However, the dream quickly turned into a nightmare as the Australian retired from his debut race. This abysmal start to life in the premier class might conjure some comparison to Daniel Ricciardo. However, an expert gave Piastri his vote of confidence after the season opener.

After the Notebook segment post-qualifying, Sky Sports reporter and analyst Ted Kravitz gave his two cents as quoted by WWOS.Nine. In Kravitz’s opinion, no one on the paddock is concerned Piastri is in Ricciardo’s situation. The veteran Australian could not find performance during his time at McLaren but that is not the case with Piastri, assured Kravitz.

“I think he’s feeling his way in,” Kravitz said. “Yes he is the bright prospect we think he is, just as fast as Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen, so they say, but … he was not able to get out of Q1, half a second behind Lando Norris, no real reason in the car.”

“Listen, we don’t have another Daniel Ricciardo situation here; McLaren don’t think that, no one in the paddock thinks we have a Ricciardo situation, even though it kind of looks like that on paper.”

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Ted Kravitz is backing the Australian to perform better in the coming races with his timing sheet as proof. However, Piastri is aware of the difficulties of F1 and is cautious of his predecessors’ failure.

Given all that, everyone is backing Piastri, including Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo shares his words of wisdom for Oscar Piastri

Ricciardo might have found himself unjustly replaced by the young Australian. However, Ricciardo does not hold it against his fellow countryman. On the contrary, Ricciardo shared his wisdom for the Australian before his debut.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Ricciardo said, “It’s a big, big opportunity. There haven’t been many Australians to get this far before, so ultimately, he needs to find that part of it as well where he can just enjoy it.” 

“Obviously, I wish him well, but I really can’t predict or say, ‘Oh, he’ll do this or that’. We’ll wait and see but I hope he finds himself having fun and has a smooth first season,” he added.

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The kind-hearted Australian wants to see his successor at McLaren succeed. Let’s hope Piastri moves on from the Bahrain debacle quickly and can prepare for a better outcome in Saudi Arabia.