“We’re in Disneyland”: Mark Webber Sarcastically Takes a Swipe at McLaren as Protege Oscar Piastri Struggles to Find His Feet in F1

Mark Webber is familiar with what it’s like to compete in a highly competitive sport, such as Formula 1. In an effort to pass the relay race to his fellow countryman, Oscar Piastri, Mark Webber volunteered to manage Piastri. However, the F2 and F3 champion is having a terrible time in a downfall period for McLaren in 2023. Meanwhile, Webber has taken a caustic jab at the Woking-based team in response to the dismal performance.

McLaren‘s downhill trend has worsened after an unsuccessful campaign last year. The team that struggled with pace throughout this season has rarely finished inside the points. If we specifically discuss Piastri, the debut might not have gone as planned. The 22-year-old has only achieved only two points-scoring finishes so far in seven races, in Australia and Monaco.

In addition, the Melbourne man has found it considerably harder to survive in a highly competitive field. Specifically, the Woking team’s two terrifying performances in the Miami and Spanish GPs have been the worst highlights for Oscar. Although McLaren’s continuing struggles are a result of how they have missed their development goals so far.

Mark Webber acknowledged McLaren as the primary cause of his protégé’s troubles with adapting to Formula 1. The Red Bull veteran also made a subtle jab at the Papaya army. According to Speedcafe, Webber said, “We’re in Disneyland to say he’s [Oscar Piastri] going to go out there and naturally match one of the top three drivers in the world right now in Lando Norris.”

This jab reflects on how Zak Brown & Co. have been showering praise on Piastri. So, Webber is perhaps giving a reality check on how just matching Lando Norris is not the epitome of Oscar’s potential. Still, Mark remarked some good words on the Aussie matching Lando Norris several times.

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Even though Piastri has competed in only seven F1 races so far, the 22-year-old has already shown his potential. On numerous occasions, Oscar has demonstrated he has the ingredients to become an established racer & a fierce competitor. This is exactly what his teammate Lando Norris believes.

Oscar Piastri receives high acclaim from Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri got into F1 on the back of a baffling controversy. Still, The F2 winner raised a lot of aspirations for the Papaya Army. From an optimistic perspective, the young man delivered on those hopes by performing with the best available equipment.

Lando Norris also has previously asserted that the 22-year-old has pushed him harder than his former teammates. The Briton has doubled down on his previous praise for Oscar.

According to Speedcafe, Norris said, ” I think he’s come in and done a very good job as a rookie in his first season of Formula 1. He’s not done any silly things, not made silly mistakes; quick learner.”

Norris added about Piastri, who has already been recognized as a potential world champion by Zak Brown and said, “He has a lot of what you need to be a Formula 1 driver. Smart, clever – you can tell he’s been brought up in a good way and an understanding way of scenarios he’s in, where he works.”

Do you believe Oscar Piastri can challenge Lando Norris if McLaren makes substantial changes during the campaign?

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