F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Piastri says racing experience 'came back pretty naturally' on F1 debut

Oscar Piastri's F1 debut lasted only 13 laps in Bahrain, but it was still a valuable experience for the McLaren rookie whose racing intuition came back "pretty naturally".

Piastri headed into his maiden Grand Prix weekend well prepared but with his last race start dating all the way back to his final outing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship in December 2021, there were a few procedures and automatisms to revive at Sakhir.

Unfortunately, the Aussie's evening was cut short by an electrical issue on his MCL60 that limited his track time, but starting his first race was nevertheless an important for the McLaren charger.

"It was nice," Piastri told the media after his early retirement.

"The start of the race, like the grid procedure, someone in front of me stopped in the wrong box, I don't know if it was Logan [Sargeant] or someone else but it was a bit of a last minute move into the correct box.

"It all happened pretty quick, but I thought it was really good.

"I didn't get the cleanest run into Turn 1 with Tsunoda, but yeah, for my first lap, it was pretty reasonable.

"After that, I was sort of in the DRS train, not being able to do much until some other people had some tyre deg and then managed to pass Hulkenberg.

"So all in all, I think a lot of boxes ticked from the start and obviously I was pacing myself, so it was positive."

Given the multiple procedures involved in starting his first race and his fourteen-month absence from racing, Piastri adapted well to his new environment, helped by his knowledge of the Bahrain International Circuit.

"I was I'd say pleasantly surprised and it came back pretty naturally," he said of his launch off the grid.

"Getting a good start, a good launch was a good confidence booster and then I did my homework for the first lap, and I've raced around here enough so I knew a little bit of what to expect.

"I thought from my side, everything was going pretty well, the experience in the dirty air effect, following [another car], managing the battery pack at the start of the race are all now boxes that I've ticked off, or at least partially ticked off."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

9 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

11 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

12 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

13 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

15 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

15 hours ago