Oscar Piastri’s manager, former F1 driver Mark Webber, says the McLaren charger’s bold overtake on teammate Lando Norris at the start of the Italian Grand Prix was a standout example of the young Aussie’s growing stature in the sport.
The two McLaren drivers had started the race side-by-side on the front row, setting up a tense battle from the get-go. As they approached Monza’s second chicane, Piastri made his move, drawing alongside Norris under braking.
Norris defended the inside line for the left-hander, but Piastri skillfully maneuvered around the outside, securing the apex for the right-hander that followed.
Mark Webber described this move as a “feather in his cap,” emphasizing how Piastri’s ability to race at the front against the sport's top competitors is becoming a hallmark of his career.
“Time and time again, he has shown that he’s ready to race at the front against the big boys,” Webber said, speaking on the Formula for Success podcast.
“He’s fine for that: respectful, hard, clean.”
“We saw again that, in the weekend with Turn 4 in Monza which is, to get through there and be absolutely brilliant on the brakes and get the move done as well as he did, is another feather in his cap.”
Currently sitting fourth in the drivers’ championship, Piastri remains over 100 points behind leader Max Verstappen. Despite this, he is still mathematically in contention for the title.
However, the 23-year-old’s position is complicated by the strong performance of his teammate Norris, who, while scoring fewer points than Piastri during the European leg of the season, remains a serious contender.
The dynamic within McLaren has become increasingly complex as both drivers demonstrate their competitiveness.
At Monza, McLaren allowed their drivers to race freely under the team’s ‘Papaya Rules,’ which permitted them to battle each other as long as they avoided contact. This approach has created an intriguing scenario for McLaren, balancing short-term and long-term team strategies.
Webber commended Piastri’s approach to racing, noting his low “damage bill” and the respect he’s earned from other drivers.
“His way of racing, week in, week out, his damage bill is incredibly low,” Webber said. “I think the respect from the other drivers that he’s raced against through the junior formulas has always been there, and he’s getting that respect.”
Piastri, according to Webber, is not seeking accolades but rather wants to let his driving speak for itself.
“He wants to get respect, he doesn’t want to have people all applaud us – as we are doing now – he just wants to earn his stripes, go out there and do his talking on the track.
“That’s what he’s done so well in the last five years,” Webber concluded.
With eight events remaining in the 2024 F1 season, including the upcoming race in Azerbaijan, Piastri’s continued development and performance will be closely watched as he seeks to solidify his place among the sport’s elite.
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