Piastri: Emotional Intelligence and Sacrifice, Key in F1

Oscar Piastri’s Unwavering Mentality: A Champion Forged in Adversity

The pressure of the fight for this year’s title doesn’t seem to affect Oscar Piastri, who remains unfazed by the media. Even after the recent wheel-to-wheel contact with his teammate Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix, an incident that could have consequences in the battle for the championship between the McLaren drivers, Piastri showed remarkable calm in front of the press. With his McLaren suit soaked in sweat after 90 minutes of racing in one of the most demanding Formula 1 events, Piastri resisted the journalists’ attempts to ignite his emotions. When asked if the collision, the result of an attempt by Norris to overtake Piastri in the first corners, would change his way of racing against his teammate, his answer was concise and devoid of emotion: “No”. Faced with the question of whether he was concerned that Norris, who was not reprimanded by McLaren for the contact, might be receiving preferential treatment, the answer was again a resounding “No”, without flinching. And when asked if he feared that the pressure in the fight for the title would make it difficult for the team to maintain impartiality, his answer was equally firm: “No. I am not.” This serenity, as captivating as it is disarming, reveals a maturity that contradicts Piastri’s 24 years, of which he has only dedicated three to Formula 1. This characteristic should not be confused with indifference. While some drivers get angry at setbacks, Piastri seems to defy the circumstances.

“It is like that because he chooses to be like that, and because that is something he values in himself and as an individual, so he strives to be like that”

Tom Stallard, Piastri’s race engineer

Tom Stallard, Piastri’s race engineer, believes the driver carefully chooses his words, knowing this can be a competitive advantage. “It’s as if he’s aware of which emotions will be positive and which negative, and he’s incredibly focused on achieving what he wants, to the point of controlling those kinds of things to make sure he gets there,” explained Stallard. Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, who worked with figures like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, also believes that Piastri maintains control to gain a competitive advantage. “I think Oscar, very clearly, has a way of limiting the way emotions develop within himself and the way emotions are revealed and made visible,” Stella stated.

Piastri’s family recounts stories of a two-year-old boy obsessed with cars, able to identify any badge on a hood or trunk. His bedtime stories were about automobiles, and in the morning he could recite the horsepower and top speed of his favorite models. His first contact with racing was at age 6, when his father gave him a remote-controlled monster truck. Piastri won his first national RC racing championship at age 9, controlling a 70 mph car and beating much more experienced opponents. Then, at 13, he excelled in karting at the national level, but to reach F1, he had to leave Australia and move to Europe. This step required great emotional and financial sacrifices, including living in a boarding school in the UK. In 2014, at Le Mans, his father, Chris, needed to see a performance that would convince him that his son had what it takes to succeed. Piastri, after recovering from 21st position and climbing onto the podium, convinced his father. Two years later, Piastri enrolled at the prestigious Haileybury boarding school in the United Kingdom. Although it was initially a challenge, Piastri never felt homesick, as he knew he was doing what he wanted: competing internationally against the best in the world. Piastri believes that this experience contributed to his ability to manage emotions under pressure. Stella highlights Piastri’s ability to focus on what’s important and reduce external “noise.” “There’s not much noise in his head. He’s focused on the important things,” Stella explains. This allows him to process information efficiently and learn quickly, which has boosted his development. Stallard adds that Piastri’s ability to focus on what’s important makes the work of those around him easier. “In the race, his ability to process information has always been good. He doesn’t say much, but what he does say is generally high-quality and accurate information that we can work with,” Stallard commented.

Stella points out that Piastri’s speed is the quality in which he has progressed the most this year. “Being fast allows you to have the bandwidth to process information and make decisions, as well as learn,” said Stella. The combination of speed, intelligence, and mental fortitude has led Piastri to lead the drivers’ championship since his victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April. The true test of his composure under pressure will be the last six races of the season, starting this weekend in Austin, Texas, where he will seek to secure the title against Norris and four-time defending champion Max Verstappen. Stallard, who was an Olympic athlete, knows the pressure that comes with fighting for a career goal. “Pressure is something he has worked for, so to speak, for 10 years, or more, to be in a position where he can have that pressure. And it is very rare that you become world champion without being able to cope with that pressure,” concluded Stallard.