Oscar Piastri says his objective in his sophomore season in Formula 1 with McLaren is to “keep building and evolving” while taking advantage of the opportunities that will hopefully come his way.
As a fast learner, Piastri’s debut campaign in Formula 1 was a remarkable one, marked by both challenges and successes.
Despite entering the season with tempered expectations due to McLaren’s lack of competitiveness, Piastri's exceptional talent shone through when an early summer upgrade package transformed his team’s fortunes.
Seizing the opportunity, Piastri delivered a series of impressive drives, showcasing his immense potential. He twice ascended the podium, securing a second-place finish in Qatar and a third-place finish in Japan.
His performance in Qatar was particularly remarkable, as he claimed victory in the sprint event, cementing his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in Formula 1.
Looking ahead to 2024, Piastri is aiming to take his performance to the next level, if his equipment allows him to do so.
"In terms of results, it depends a lot on how we are as a team,” he told F1.com.
"We've ended 2023 in quite a good place with a competitive car, hopefully we can be the same, if not better - that's the goal.
"For myself, I've got a year of experience in F1, I've been to all of the circuits apart from China, so there won't be any completely new ones for me."
With a year of experience under his belt and his knowledge of the tracks, Piastri reckons he’ll have a better understanding of the demands of Formula 1, the characteristics of the McLaren car, and the strengths and weaknesses of his rivals.
"Hopefully everything will just be a bit more comfortable, but more natural from the start, just keep doing the same thing," the 22-year-old said.
"If that means we're finishing on the podium or even winning, then of course that's what I'm gonna try and aim for.
“If it means you're finishing six or seventh, then that's what I'm gonna try to aim for. So just try and keep building keep evolving.
"I've got some clear targets, I guess that I want to try and improve from my first season. But yeah, just keep chipping away at those and wherever we end up is where we ended up."
In short, come what may, Piastri is poised to deliver the goods on his way to becoming a regular front-runner in F1.
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