Piastri’s Imperturbability: A Secret Weapon in the Title Fight
The pressure of the fight for this year’s championship doesn’t seem to affect Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver demonstrates remarkable calm, even after incidents on the track that could influence the battle for the title between him and his teammate, Lando Norris. After the wheel-to-wheel contact with Norris in the Singapore Grand Prix, Piastri kept his composure in front of the media. Despite being soaked in sweat after 90 minutes of racing in one of the most demanding events in Formula 1, the driver resisted the attempts of journalists to stir up his emotions.Faced with the question of whether the incident would change his way of competing with Norris, Piastri’s answer was blunt and devoid of emotion. Nor did he show concern about possible preferential treatment for his teammate, or about the increase in pressure in the fight for the championship. This quality, as captivating as it is disconcerting, reveals a surprising maturity for a 24-year-old driver, with only three seasons in F1. Piastri’s race engineer, Tom Stallard, highlights that the driver carefully chooses his words, aware that this can be a competitive advantage.“No.”
Oscar Piastri
The McLaren team director, Andrea Stella, who worked with figures like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, also believes that Piastri maintains control to gain a competitive advantage. For Stella, Piastri’s ability to manage his emotions is a quality that has developed over time, influenced by his personality and experiences.“He 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
The Origins of a Winning Mentality
The story of Piastri reveals how this mentality was forged. From childhood, he showed a fascination with cars, knowing brands and models. His path to motorsport began with radio-controlled cars, where he won his first national championship at age 9, demonstrating exceptional hand-eye coordination. At 13 years old, he already stood out in karting, but to reach F1, he had to move to Europe, a change that involved emotional and financial sacrifices. His father, Chris, evaluated his son’s future in a crucial race at Le Mans, where Piastri impressed by achieving the podium and the fastest lap. This performance convinced his father that the sacrifices were worth it. Despite being far from his family, Piastri did not feel homesick, focused on his goal of competing internationally. This experience, according to him, contributed to his ability to handle pressure. Stella highlights Piastri’s ability to focus on what’s important and reduce external “noise.” This skill, along with his speed and learning ability, allows him to process information efficiently and constantly improve. Stallard points out that Piastri’s ability to process information accurately and without complaints makes the team’s job easier, allowing them to find solutions to help him. This, added to his speed, has allowed him to lead the championship since his victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
