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“Nothing Can Shake Oscar”: Piastri Catches McLaren TP’s Eye as Verstappen & Hamilton Left Gasping

Published 08/03/2023, 7:30 AM EDT

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A name has captured the spotlight in the F1 realm and left everyone in awe: Oscar Piastri. Unfazed by challenging conditions at the Spa-Francorchamps, he navigates complicated races like last Sunday’s, half dry and half wet, with relative ease. Even against established champions like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, Piastri fearlessly engages in duels that showcase his precision and determination.

The young Australian earned quite an admiration for his bold move to McLaren, leaving his former team, Alpine, despite receiving all his training there. Piastri’s unassuming demeanor and remarkable skill on the track make him stand out from the crowd. As the pressure builds on the seasoned drivers from the fresh talents at McLaren, Piastri’s composed approach and meticulous study of tire management set him apart at the Belgian GP. Despite facing challenges, he has emerged as one of the best rookies in years, consistently contending for podium positions.

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As per Auto-Motor-und-Sport.de, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella cannot help but focus particular praise on Piastri. In Stella’s own words: “Complicated races, half dry, half wet, his first laps in the lead. Duels with Verstappen or Hamilton: Nothing can shake Oscar. He makes everything look so easy,” [translated via Google] perfectly summing up every Piastri fan’s headspace these days. To elaborate it wouldn’t be a lie to say Piastri defended like a lion, as he was in fact facing names like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

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The 22-year-old rookie exhibited a remarkable level of composure, handling the pressure with ease throughout last weekend’s sprint race. Even though Fernando Alonso’s uncharacteristic spin created a Safety Car intervention, Max Verstappen eventually claimed victory, relegating Piastri to a commendable second place in the Sprint. McLaren’s strategic choice of higher downforce paid off in the rain, but unfortunately, Piastri missed the chance to see how it would have fared in a dry main race. Nonetheless, his exceptional performance and mature approach on track have marked him as a rising star in the Formula 1 arena.

As the racing world eagerly awaits his next moves, it’s clear that Oscar Piastri is a name to watch closely in the future of this sport. The watching-out is also something the veterans ought to do as well when it comes to Piastri.

Max Verstappen Impressed: Oscar Piastri’s Dazzling Debut at the Front in Belgian GP Sprint

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In the thrilling battle at the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint, Max Verstappen relished the opportunity to go up against “fresh blood” and came away greatly impressed by the Australian rookie, Oscar Piastri. The race began under heavy rain, evoking a safety car start. As soon as the conditions allowed, Piastri made a bold move and pitted for intermediate tires. Verstappen, however, waited for an extra lap before making his own stop, and when he rejoined the race, he found Piastri in the lead.

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Piastri held his own against the seasoned Red Bull driver for a significant portion of the 11-lap dash. Verstappen himself acknowledged the emergence of a new rival. As per Mirror.co.uk, Verstappen said: “It’s nice and it’s great and Oscar’s having a very strong season in general. But I think also this weekend, he has been really on it. So it’s always nice to, for the first time, basically race him,” appreciating the challenge presented by the young talent.

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Despite the challenges faced, Oscar Piastri’s strong performances have caught the attention of the Formula 1 world, and he remains a promising talent to watch in the future. As the season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the further growth and development of this young star on the racing horizon.

WATCH THIS STORY | Is Oscar Piastri Already Justifying His Talent By Performing Better Than Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren?

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Written by:

Pulkit Jai

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Pulkit is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. With a strong academic background in engineering, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanics and technology driving Formula 1 racing. This expertise allows him to offer insightful analysis, exploring the technical aspects of the sport and shedding light on the innovative advancements that shape the world of F1.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar