McLaren not worried about Oscar Piastri despite difficult first steps

For his debut in Formula 1, Oscar piastri would have liked to know more peaceful starting conditions.

Highly awaited by the public in view of its impeccable track record in promotional formulas (without forgetting the contract issue Alpine invalidated), the Australian did not inherit the best car to begin his career in Formula 1.

Indeed, the MCL60 leaving the Woking (UK) workshops is not the most successful machine in the history of McLaren and this start of the season is already very complicated both for the young man from Melbourne and for the English team.

On the track, the Grand Prix in Bahrain had a bitter taste for the 2021 champion of F2. Eliminated in Q1 in qualifying, Piastri was then forced to retire from the race after a problem with his steering wheel that McLaren was not even able to repair by replacing it with another example.

A first hard blow already but one which the leaders of the British team will not even take seriously, given the potential they see in the Australian.

McLaren under the spell of Piastri

« Oscar is new to Formula 1 but has already shown an aptitude for winning in promotional formulas, recalls Andrea Stella, new main team of Woking. He has done very well so far, we are very happy with him.

His talent and his level of progression that we saw day by day during the trials are very encouraging and confirm that he is a hope for years to come.."

If Piastri is only 21 years old and has a bit of Grand Prix racing in his legs, Stella sees the Australian as a determined and very technically mature boy.

« What impresses us most is that he is aware of his opportunities when driving but also his comments, adds the Italian who replaced Andreas Seidl, who left for Sauber during the winter. He can come back and say “I think I braked a little too early in the first corner, I didn't get on the gas early enough in the fourth.”

And when you look at the data, it's exactly that. He then comes out for a 2^e relay and correct the situation. To me this is the definition of talent and we see a lot of it."

Despite a far from ideal start, McLaren management shows no signs of concern regarding Piastri. On the contrary, the Oranges see great hope in him and “ one of the best drivers on the grid " in the future. What will reassure him for the future?

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