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Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team MCL60, portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, 17th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from October 6 to 8, 2023 on the Lusail International Circuit, in Doha, Qatar – F1 – QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 (Credits: Imago)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1035326449h.jpg)
via Imago
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team MCL60, portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, 17th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from October 6 to 8, 2023 on the Lusail International Circuit, in Doha, Qatar – F1 – QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 (Credits: Imago)
Oscar Piastri has arguably had the best weekend of his F1 career in Qatar. Still, the man seems pretty chill & not delirious unlike several young drivers these days. In fact, after driving a stellar race, the Aussie had his wits dialed to 11! In what seemed like an episode straight out of a comedy sitcom, Piastri had all of F1 in splits after concluding this weekend. Imagine being interviewed after the race and having a mini heart attack, thinking you’ve been slapped with a penalty. That’s not what happened to Piastri, but he didn’t hesitate to have a little jest at the FIA’s expense.
During his post-Qatar Grand Prix interview, where Piastri basked in the glory of a 2nd place finish, a little interruption led him to believe he was about to be handed a five-second penalty. No actually not, there wasn’t an incident of sorts, but it seemed like that to Piastri at least. His candid reaction?
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81 Oscar Piastri AUS, McLaren F1 Team, F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 14, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore. Photo by HOCH ZWEI Singapore Singapore *** 81 Oscar Piastri AUS, McLaren F1 Team , F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 14, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore Photo by HOCH ZWEI Singapore Singapore
“I thought you were going to say I had a five-second penalty then! Scared the cr*p out of me.” It’s safe to say, that Twitter (now X) user Catherine’s chuckling reaction and the phrase, “I love Oscar Piastri 😂”, echoes through all fans for sure.
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And what’s that they say? When the going gets tough, the tough get going! McLaren‘s superstar pair, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, surely believe in this old adage. After a bit of a hiccup in qualifying, where they had their lap times scrapped for track limit violations (landing them in P6 and P10), they didn’t let that deter their spirits.
"I thought you were going to say I had a five second penalty then! Scared the crap out of me"
I love Oscar Piastri 😂#QatarGP— Catherine (@catty_caths) October 8, 2023
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In an electrifying display of skill and determination, the dynamic duo dazzled in the Sprint race. Piastri and Norris gracefully danced their way up to second and third places respectively, securing another double podium for McLaren.
Read More: Alarm Bells Ring at McLaren Moments After Lando Norris Threw in the Towel Against Oscar Piastri
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And it’s not just about speed and strategy, sometimes it’s about seizing the moment, even if it’s for a cheeky comment! At the Qatar Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri did just that, both on and off the track.
Oscar Piastri’s playful poke at Lewis Hamilton’s Qatar GP Crash
As the lights went out and the engines roared to life, Lewis Hamilton, with his eye on a win, ambitiously tried an outside move on his team-mate, George Russell, during lap one. But oops! A misjudgment and contact ensued, sending the seven-time champ spinning into the gravel and leaving Russell with an unplanned detour to the pits.
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Lewis Hamilton (L), George Russell (R) | Image Courtesy: Imago
Amidst this high-speed drama, the wily Piastri weaved his magic, gliding past both Mercedes drivers, and positioning himself ahead of his teammate, Lando Norris. Following a race masterfully managed, Piastri not only clinched his second-ever F1 podium but also added a little humor to the mix.
Showing gratitude in a light-hearted fashion, Piastri joked over the radio, “Nice assistance from whoever bowled everyone in turn one, thank you!” A playful nod to Hamilton’s unexpected ‘assist’.
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It’s not every day you see a fresh face in F1 poking fun at a legend, but then again, it’s all in good spirits.