Days After Emerging as Zak Brown’s Choice, Oscar Piastri Confesses to Fear of Unchartered Territories

Zak Brown‘s “future world champion”, Oscar Piastri, continues to impress with his remarkable performances. However, behind the scenes, the Australian has opened up about his apprehensions regarding the uncharted territories he’s facing. After being embroiled in a contractual dispute between McLaren and Alpine, Piastri’s talents have finally been recognized, and he is now thriving in his role as a key member of the Papaya team. As he prepares for the upcoming Belgian GP, Piastri is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

McLaren has experienced a remarkable transformation in recent races, thanks to a three-step aerodynamic update. Piastri showcased his potential with strong performances, finishing P4 and P5 in the last 2 GPs. Zak Brown firmly believes that Piastri has what it takes to be a future champion in Formula 1. The McLaren CEO also appreciated Oscar’s progress during the Hungarian GP, picking him to match & beat Lando Norris as well. The young Australian’s composure, technical understanding, and ability to fight with the established stars of the sport have impressed the entire McLaren team, still, Piastri seems to take it modestly knowing he has a lot to prove yet.

Amidst the team’s celebration of success, according to Speedcafe, Oscar Piastri candidly admits his trepidation, “It’s going to be very difficult, I haven’t been here for three years now; there’s been a couple of small changes since then. But one practice session, a lot of wet weather around; it’s difficult as a driver, but also for the team because… it’s already difficult on a dry weekend because we enter parc ferme before qualifying on Friday”.

“So we have an hour to sort out everything, like the balance, whether our skids are going to survive for the whole weekend, and when it’s wet, it adds another element of complication to that.”

Read more: Amid Added Pressure of Expectations, Lando Norris Exposes Zak Brown & Co.’s Inflated Success Story

The unfamiliarity of the Spa circuit and the potential weather conditions add complexity to the team’s preparations, with the first half of the season behind him, Piastri now sets his sights on a formidable challenge within the team – his battle with teammate Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri’s quest for excellence

Piastri joined McLaren as a highly regarded young talent, fresh off winning the F2 championship in 2021. The initial races of the season proved challenging for the team, but as the car received upgrades, both Piastri and Norris began to shine. The two drivers have had impressive performances, securing strong finishes and earning valuable points for the team. Acknowledging his progress and identifying areas for improvement, Piastri remains committed to pushing himself further.

He admits to having made some mistakes during the season but views them as opportunities for growth and learning. While recognizing the talent of his teammate, he doesn’t settle for merely being close to Norris. Instead, his goal is to beat the highly skilled British driver, a task that he knows won’t be easy. “It’s been nice to be so close, but until you’re beating your teammate, you’re always going to feel like there’s more to come,” says Piastri, showcasing his competitive spirit and hunger for excellence.

What do you think can Piastri achieve his goal of outperforming Lando Norris?

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