![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-07-21T151428Z_2036306450_UP1EK7L16C2AU_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-HUNGARY.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 21, 2024 McLaren’s Oscar Piastri celebrates on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix REUTERS/Marton Monus
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-07-21T151428Z_2036306450_UP1EK7L16C2AU_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-HUNGARY.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 21, 2024 McLaren’s Oscar Piastri celebrates on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix REUTERS/Marton Monus
Oscar Piastri is the youngest driver of the season to win a Grand Prix. Not only that, the Aussie is also the first driver born in the 2000s to win a race. Piastri’s outstanding drive (despite the team’s strategic flaws) took him to the top. Last year, the 23-year-old had won the Qatar GP sprint race. But nothing compares to the feeling of winning an actual Grand Prix.
Now, the Australian’s victory has turned Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel‘s ‘nightmares’ into reality. You must be wondering why would the world champions have nightmares regarding a rising star. It does not specifically relate to Piastri, but it connects to him. The two former world champions feared that the ‘kids’ from the 2000s would someday win a race ahead of them. And look what happened!
Back in 2019 during a press conference, Lewis Hamilton asked Max Verstappen his age. He replied, “I’m 21.” Lewis was shocked because he was 34 at the time. Then Seb said, “The day we get beaten by someone born in 2000.” Just the thought reminded the 7x champ that he is aging. Five years later, Oscar ‘the legend’ Piastri turned Vettel’s predictions into reality. He achieved the great feat of being the first driver born in this millennium to win a race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
Many, including Lewis Hamilton, appreciated Oscar’s brilliant performance at Hungaroring. More importantly, Hamilton’s connection with McLaren goes back in time. The team that introduced the world to the Brit 17 years ago, also introduced Oscar Piastri. Can fans assume, Oscar is the next ‘GOAT’ in the making?
Is Oscar Piastri the next-generation ‘greatest of all time’ in Formula 1?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s your perspective on:
Did Oscar Piastri just signal the end of Hamilton and Vettel's dominance in F1?
Have an interesting take?
After years of being winless and an average team, to say the least, McLaren has picked up its pieces. Since last season, the ‘Papayas’ have been on a more offensive stance than ever seen before. The last time, the Woking-based were dominant was probably back in 2012, when Hamilton and Jenson Button were teammates. But thanks to the right upgrades and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s driving skills, they are back in the main picture.
Coming back to the real question: Is Oscar Piastri the next ‘GOAT’? Having won the F3 and F2 championships, the Aussie barged into the F1 paddock with new energy. And since his debut in 2023, there has hardly been a race where he didn’t give his best. An important point to note here, Piastri is usually out of the top 10. In most races, he scores points, and he has even outperformed Norris on many occasions.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-11-25T151355Z_570608876_UP1EJBP16B5GZ_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-ABUDHABI.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 25, 2023 McLaren’s Oscar Piastri after qualifying REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
This year marks his 2nd term in F1 and the way he is driving, with three podiums including a win, the Aussie is aiming for the highest pedestal. The joint efforts of both Norris and Piastri are working like magic. And it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Piastri could become the potential next-gen ‘GOAT’. Moreover, some fans are already referring to him as the ‘mini-GOAT’!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Oscar Piastri targets greatness. His recent performances validate his mastery in the cockpit. Meanwhile, ‘mini-GOAT’ seems like a good name for the 23-year-old. Having won a race now, Piastri would be hungry for more. And only the next few races will tell if he is destined to be goated or not. However, his achievements at the Hungarian GP are incomparable.
Debate
Did Oscar Piastri just signal the end of Hamilton and Vettel's dominance in F1?