Oscar Piastri

[ColdSyphon]

Hey chaps,

Just thought I’d create this thread and gather people’s views on his season so far? I have to say, I’ve been very impressed. The last few races especially he’s been right on Lando’s level, and considering he’s in his rookie season - deeply impressive.

I’d say he’s justified the hype he came with and will only get better and better.

[PhilAsia]

I was of the opinion he would make a good showing prior to the season's start. Initially I was disillusioned, but as the circuits have become more "standardised" I am seeing the very capable racer I thought I would sèe.

Time is the master.

[belleair302]

As an old boy of my school and from the same house he has inbuilt success ahead and a huge an do attitude. Possibly not a long term McLaren driver but a world champion in 2027 or 2028. Has won everything he has faced and is a properly quick driver. You cannot buy speed, but you can teach engineering feedback. Red Bull or Mercedes if they stick around as a team.

[paulguitar]

He's been very impressive and level-headed. A potential star, I think.

[HustleRussell]

My expectations were pretty high and he’s surpassed them. However It’s a bit annoying to me that the hype has taken off just as he made that mistake at the race start at Spa. IMO Sainz was hard done by there.

A small blot on a very promising first half though.

[maz8062]

He’s been impressive for sure but I’m not sure that greatness awaits the lad. To be a great driver one has to get on top of his team mate from the get go. Norris is the better driver of the 2 and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.

The competition at the front is super fierce, what with Lando, LeClerc, Max, Russell and whoever is the next best thing - a driver is either special from the get go or they luck into the perfect conditions to win a WDC, like Button, Hill, JV etc.

As always, time will tell.

[Teddy Lop]

Been well aware of Oscars prowess for some time, being as it is I'm married to a 'strayn.

Joking aside the kid is the real deal though, wouldn't even be surprised if he's the next driver to add wdc to his name.

[Castellet]

maz8062 said:

He’s been impressive for sure but I’m not sure that greatness awaits the lad. To be a great driver one has to get on top of his team mate from the get go. Norris is the better driver of the 2 and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.

I’m also impressed with Piastri,
Didn’t race last year, rookie year in F1, new car, new team, ‘No 2’ driver………
There has to be a learning period.
But, Norris is now in, what, his 4th season, and Piastri is already close to matching him.
Ok, early days, but definitely one to watch.

[Pflanzgarten]

Future WDC? I think that’s over egging it a little.

He’s done very well, the team are extremely pleased by his readiness apparently, as in he’s not on the learning curve they would have expected for a rookie. However a lot of that could be his preparation with alpine who threw a lot at his training for him to be ready when the time come.

Exceeded expectations I’d say, one to watch for sure. I’ll wait until he’s comfortably beating Lando regularly before proclaiming him as the second coming however.

[andyA700]

I think he is a very, very capable driver. In fact, I may say that at this stage of his career, he is better than Norris and Russell were at the same stage.

[F1GTRUeno]

Of course the last few rounds have been complimented by the McLaren being better but he's doing a great job.

That said, I think we're seeing Lando's quality too, he's better than I thought and I'm a huge fan already.

[Pflanzgarten]

andyA700 said:

I think he is a very, very capable driver. In fact, I may say that at this stage of his career, he is better than Norris and Russell were at the same stage.

That's true but they were driving st boxes at the time. For context, in his 2020 Williams stbox Russel beat his teammate (admittedly the Goatifi) in every race except two over the entire season. Lando obviously didn't fair as well as Saints his first season but I've never proclaimed him the second coming either.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Oscar Piastri is Rubens Barrichello Mk2.

[Sandpit Steve]

Oscar’s the real deal, he won F3 and F2 in consecutive years. There’s a short list of other drivers who have done that - Russell, Leclerc, and Hamilton.

[paulguitar]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Oscar Piastri is Rubens Barrichello Mk2.

What makes you think this?

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

paulguitar said:

What makes you think this?

very similar junior career trajectory, won everything on the way up, not yet convincing against a known quantity like Lando, who's a modern day Johnny Herbert. (without the crash) It was similar with Barrichello, who showed well against ageing drivers like Capelli and Boutsen, but struggled against Eddie Irvine. And lost out to Herbert at Stewart. Also Schuey's lacky.

Unfortunately neither driver will get the opportunity to be in a dominant car, as Max is only 25, and new teams like Audi just won't be consistently competitive.

Lando's a 7 GP winner kind of guy
Piastri is similar although I could see him at Red Bull alongside Max, but only as a bag carrier.

Edited by Dynion Araf Uchaf on Wednesday 16th August 08:58

[HustleRussell]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Piastri ... I could see him at Red Bull alongside Max, but only as a bag carrier.

You know Mark Webber is his manager?

[paulguitar]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

paulguitar said:

What makes you think this?

very similar junior career trajectory, won everything on the way up, not yet convincing against a known quantity like Lando, who's a modern day Johnny Herbert. (without the crash) It was similar with Barrichello, who showed well against ageing drivers like Capelli and Boutsen, but struggled against Eddie Irvine. And lost out to Herbert at Stewart. Also Schuey's lacky.

Unfortunately neither driver will get the opportunity to be in a dominant car, as Max is only 25, and new teams like Audi just won't be consistently competitive.

Lando's a 7 GP winner kind of guy
Piastri is similar although I could see him at Red Bull alongside Max, but only as a bag carrier.

Edited by Dynion Araf Uchaf on Wednesday 16th August 08:58

I suspect that Lando is better than that. It's hard to tell really, as at this level the standard is so high that differences tend to be small. Lando had the 'future superstar' tag as he was coming up through the junior formulae, and I think he has backed that up so far in the F1 career, given the limitations of the equipment he's had.

Oscar is looking better and better to me as he gets settled in at McLaren.

[MustangGT]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Unfortunately neither driver will get the opportunity to be in a dominant car, as Max is only 25, and new teams like Audi just won't be consistently competitive.

Edited by Dynion Araf Uchaf on Wednesday 16th August 08:58

That makes no sense whatsoever. Since they are young they have many years left to get into a dominant car.

To me, both drivers are very good, probably well inside the top half of this years drivers.

[F1GTRUeno]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

very similar junior career trajectory, won everything on the way up, not yet convincing against a known quantity like Lando, who's a modern day Johnny Herbert. (without the crash) It was similar with Barrichello, who showed well against ageing drivers like Capelli and Boutsen, but struggled against Eddie Irvine. And lost out to Herbert at Stewart. Also Schuey's lacky.

Did he struggle against Irvine or lose out to Herbert though?

1994 he finished with 17 more points than Irvine and finished 6th versus 16th.
1995 was closer but he had one more point than him and finished 11th versus 12th
1999 he consistently ran at the front whereas Herbert didn't and Johnny only finished close-ish to him in points by virtue of the win at the Nürburgring - 21 to 15 and 7th versus 8th.

Sorry to go OT in the Piastri thread.