Competing as a rookie in 2023, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri had a very disciplined approach towards racing alongside Lando Norris. The Australian driver put up various rules for himself, including one that barred him from hanging out with friends during a race weekend or immediately after it. Meanwhile, a ‘partied out’ Max Verstappen took to the driving duties for the feature race in Qatar, having won the drivers’ championship during the Sprint session.
Speaking on the Spotify Podcast ‘Eff won with DRS,’ Piastri admitted that he might break the rule if he were in Verstappen’s position.
“When you win a World Championship, I think it’s warranted. So, I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same if I was in his position.”
For now, though, Piastri chooses to stay as disciplined as he can and avoid partying during the season to stay on top of his game. However, the 22-year-old admitted to playing fast and loose with the rules as he grows in the sport, but only to an extent. The Australian driver said he wouldn’t get ‘plastered’ before a race until he’d won the championship.
While many might feel the discipline of Piastri is ‘overkill,’ the 22-year-old’s performances from 2023 prove it helped Piastri quickly become a driver to watch out for.
Oscar Piastri had one of the most impressive rookie seasons in recent history
Despite starting the season on a weak note, Piastri continued improving with each race and soon became one of the most impressive drivers on the current grid. The Australian even became a threat to teammate Lando Norris, often pushing the Briton to his limits to come out on top in a race. The same has led to experts and fans claiming the 2024 season will see close competition between the two McLaren drivers, with no certainties over who would come out on top.
Furthermore, not only did Piastri beat an in-form Verstappen during a sprint session battle, but he also earned the title of ‘Rookie of the Year,’ owing to his 97 points and 2 podium finishes.
The performances and achievements were critical in Piastri earning a multi-year contract extension, keeping him at McLaren till the end of the 2026 season. McLaren enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of the season, especially after Silverstone. With impressive upgrades, the MCL60 became the second-fastest car on the grid, and Piastri took full advantage of it, bringing in a decent number of points for his team.
