F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Piastri hails personal progress, but still sees 'room for improvement'

Oscar Piastri says he’s satisfied with his personal development over the past year, hailing his progress in F1 but insisting there’s “still room for improvement”.

The McLaren driver was unquestionably the sport’s revelation last year, his maiden season in Formula 1, performing on a par with teammate Lando Norris in he second half of 2023 and winning his first race – albeit a sprint event – in Qatar.

But Piastri’s stock has continued to trend higher this year, an ascent that saw the 23-year-old conquer in Austria last month his first Grand Prix win, while he finished runner-up to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton last time out in Belgium.

“I think I've made good progress on things that I wanted to improve from last year,” Piastri told Speedcafe.

“Some of the goals I had from the end of last season, I think I've done a good job of tackling and made clear steps in some of those areas – I would say all of those areas.

“There's still of course room for improvement to go, but I think it's been a good step forward.”

Read also:

While positive on his own development, especially in terms of his tyre and race management, Piastri acknowledged that McLaren’s ability to produce a car capable of challenging for race wins has been the biggest factor in terms of his progress and his subsequent results.

“I think the big thing that has been largely positive, from both a team point of view, and from a personal point of view, the team have given Lando and I a car that's capable of winning races.

“The biggest positive obviously is that we've thrust ourselves into contention with a car that's incredibly quick. That's really the biggest thing.”

McLaren's resurgence has been nothing short of spectacular. The team currently sits a close second in the Constructors' Championship, just 42 points adrift of Red Bull with 10 races remaining.

However, despite his team’s upward trajectory, Piastri remains his own harshest critic, identifying areas where he and the Woking-based outfit can improve to maximize their potential.

“There's kind of the feeling of a few missed opportunities with some things that were out of our control,” he reflected.

“Like Miami (a performance he rates among his best but where a Safety Car cost him a chance of a stronger result), the track limits in Austria – I mean, technically that one was in my control, but it wasn't really given how it was deleted.

“And then a few that were in our control, Silverstone being the most recent one; Canada a little bit, to an extent Imola with the qualifying penalty.

“So I think largely positive. But I feel like there's potential to do even better, which is obviously a very exciting position to be in.”

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

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

45 mins ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

2 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

2 hours ago

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…

11 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…

12 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…

14 hours ago