Oscar Piastri's meteoric ascent in Formula 1 has not only showcased his exceptional talent on the track but also thrust him into an unexpected world of fame that he admits has taken some getting used to.
The young Australian driver, who made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a high-profile tug-of-war between McLaren and Alpine, has impressed fans and experts alike with his composure and skill.
Last month in Hungary, Piastri became a genuine Grand Prix winner, and all signs point to his valuable stock trending higher, elevating the 23-year-old to the status of potential world champion.
However, the sudden recognition that comes with being a successful Formula 1 driver – and only the fifth Australian to win in the sport – has been a surprising challenge.
In an interview with Forbes, Piastri candidly admitted that the extent of public recognition he receives has taken him aback.
“You know, you can get advice on how to deal with the media and work with sponsors, but fame is really something that you can’t be taught about,” he explained.
“There’s no guidebook. It’s one thing to be recognised at the track – that’s expected. The biggest thing that surprised me really, it was just like how many people started to recognise me off the track in regular life.”
While startled by his newfound fame, Piastri has found comfort in the routine and structure that comes with an F1 driver’s demanding schedule.
“It depends a bit on the schedule [with the simulator],” Piastri explained, describing how his training and preparation are meticulously planned around the rigorous race calendar.
For European Grands Prix, he typically trains from Monday to Wednesday before arriving at the track on Thursday.
But his preparation also involves simulator sessions at McLaren’s headquarters at Woking, adding another layer of complexity to his already busy schedule.
“It could be just [sim] time the week before, often more during the week before… sometimes Tuesday could be a simulator day so you have to train on Monday, fly into McLaren on Tuesday, use the simulator, train some more on Wednesday and then arrive at the track that night or Thursday morning for media day at the track.”
“If it's like Australia or in Asia you probably fly out, say the weekend before just to get used to the time zone and the jet lag, and for that medium sim before.”
Despite the challenges of balancing racing, media commitments, and personal life, Piastri’s sophomore season in F1 has been a resounding success.
His consistent performances with McLaren have seen him climb the driver standings, and he currently sits in a strong fourth position behind leader Max Verstappen, his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
As he continues to mature as a driver and navigate the complexities of fame, Piastri appears well-equipped to handle the pressures of Formula 1 and to become on of the sport’s leading lights.
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