Despite a Gulf of 35 Points, Oscar Piastri Shockingly Picked Over Lando Norris by Dutch Great

It feels abnormal to call Oscar Piastri a rookie as he has managed to overshadow even Lando Norris, leaving experts astonished. With a significant point disparity of 35 points, where Norris stands at 69 points and Piastri at 34, the decision to favor Piastri over Norris has raised eyebrows. The remarkable progress of these two drivers in the first half of the 2023 season has fueled discussions and debates, and even drawn the attention of Dutch racing driver and pundit Tom Coronel, who expressed his admiration for Piastri’s extraordinary performance. But what exactly led to this unexpected shift in the spotlight?

Oscar Piastri has emerged as the standout rookie of the year thus far. With an impressive P2 in the Belgium sprint and a total of 34 points to his name. It’s his exceptional ability to make the most challenging aspects of F1 appear effortless that makes him stand out. Andrea Stella, notes that the young Australian possesses a calm and composed approach that belies his rookie status. Stella explains, “The interesting point about Oscar is that he makes it all look easy. He makes it look easy to drive in mixed conditions, lead the race or switch from intermediate tires to slicks and still never make a mistake.” Piastri’s flawless performance in the Belgium sprint, where he outshone all but Max Verstappen, showcased his adeptness in handling high-pressure situations.

The comparisons being drawn between Piastri’s initial season and the rookie campaigns Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen only serve to highlight the magnitude of his accomplishments. Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel’s endorsement of Oscar Piastri’s performance serves as a testament to the Australian’s exceptional abilities. Coronel’s words, “It’s not normal, really amazing what he shows, he drives the stars from heaven and pips Lando Norris,” Coronel’s sentiment captures the sentiment of many who find themselves captivated by Piastri’s racing finesse, even leading him to outshine accomplished drivers like Lando Norris.

Read more: Traumatized Zak Brown Cracks the Whip at McLaren to Keep Lando Norris & Co.’s Mouths Shut

Despite the challenges posed by the McLaren car at the start of the season, Piastri’s adaptability and ability to extract the maximum from the machinery have been commendable. As the season progresses, Piastri’s calm and reserved demeanor seems to fuel his ability to consistently perform at a high level, and Johnny Herbert offers a unique perspective on Piastri’s rise and its effects on his teammate Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri’s impact sparks pressure on Lando Norris

The dynamic between Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris has become a topic of interest, with Herbert shedding light on the possible impact of Piastri’s rise on Norris’s performance and statements. Johnny Herbert’s observations shed light on a potentially intriguing development within the McLaren team.

Despite Norris’s status as an accomplished driver, Herbert suggests that Piastri’s remarkable progress might be creating an undercurrent of pressure. Herbert notes, “Lando has said the car isn’t quite working for his style, that he wants but that’s because he is under pressure from Oscar.” This insight suggests that Piastri’s strong performances and improvement could be leading Norris to vocalize his challenges more openly. As Piastri becomes a standout rookie, his impact on the team dynamic and the performance of his teammate is becoming increasingly evident.

What are your thoughts about Oscar Piastri’s rookie season?

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