Oscar Piastri: Calm in the Storm in the Fight for the F1 Title
The pressure of the battle for this year’s championship doesn’t seem to affect Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver, known for his serenity, has remained calm even after an incident at the Singapore Grand Prix with his teammate, Lando Norris, which could have consequences in the fight for the title. Despite the wheel-to-wheel contact with Norris, Piastri was notably stoic in front of the media. When asked if the incident would change his way of racing against his teammate, his answer was blunt: “No”. When asked if he was worried that Norris would receive preferential treatment, the answer was the same, without flinching. Faced with the possibility that pressure would affect the team’s impartiality, his response was a resounding “No, I am not.” This ability to remain calm is a distinctive trait that surprises with its maturity, considering Piastri’s 24 years and his three years in F1. While other drivers react with frustration, Piastri seems to control the circumstances.McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Piastri uses this control to gain a competitive advantage. “He has a way of limiting how emotions develop within himself and how emotions are revealed and made visible,” Stella explained. “It’s not that he doesn’t have emotions, but that he is aware of them and how he reacts.”“It is the way it is because he chooses to be that way, and because that is something he values in himself and as an individual, so he strives to be that way,” commented Tom Stallard, Piastri’s race engineer.
Tom Stallard
A Path Forged Since Childhood
This ability to control emotions, according to Stella, was forged from childhood. Piastri, from the age of two, showed a fascination with cars, identifying brands and models with ease. His path to racing began with remote control cars, where he demonstrated exceptional hand-eye coordination, winning national championships. At 13 years old, Piastri excelled in karting, but to advance to F1, he had to move to Europe. This decision involved emotional and financial sacrifices, including living in a boarding school in the United Kingdom. His father, Chris, evaluated his son’s future in the world of motorsport, seeking a performance that would demonstrate his potential. The race at Le Mans was key, where Piastri achieved a podium finish and the fastest lap, convincing his father that he had what it takes to succeed. The boarding school experience contributed to his maturity and his ability to handle pressure. “I learned lessons and became stronger,” Piastri commented.Concentration and Focus: The Keys to Success
One of Piastri’s most outstanding characteristics, according to Stella, is his ability to focus on what’s important during a race weekend, reducing external “noise.” This allows him to process information efficiently and learn quickly, which has enabled him to develop steadily since his arrival in F1. Stallard highlights that Piastri’s ability to process information is of high quality, which facilitates the team’s work. His focus on calm and objectivity helps with decision-making. “He doesn’t get distracted by complaints about a situation he can’t control,” said Stallard. “You trust him to do that.”
