Andrea Stella is impressed by Oscar Piastri

No one saw McLaren coming, and no one saw this performance from Oscar Piastri coming. The young Australian rookie had a rather promising start to the season, but with a slow car, it was difficult to really see what he was capable of. But at Silverstone, McLaren showed their teeth. In qualifying, Oscar Piastri secured the 3rd fastest time, just behind Lando Norris. Then in the race, after a masterful performance, he finished 4th. There’s a touch of regret, as he had the pace for a podium, but the safety car ruined it for him. Nevertheless, this doesn’t take away from the very good impression he made on everyone.

A praised running management by Stella

For a rookie, qualifying on the second line is one thing. Confirming the good position on the grid is another. At first, some doubted Oscar Piastri’s ability to stay at the forefront. After just a few laps, everyone understood why he was there.

“The standout element is his running technique and his ability to preserve tire life while driving cleanly in an intense racing situation,” said Andrea Stella, Team Principal of McLaren. “In the first lap, Oscar Piastri even made a move on the inside of Max Verstappen at Copse corner.”

After the safety car period, some were worried to see the McLaren drivers on hard tires. Oscar Piastri had clients behind him, such as George Russell or Sergio Pérez, but he immediately got into the rhythm to maintain that 4th place. « Thinking about the safety car restart on the hard tire, he was immediately there. So, it was a mature driving which is quite impressive for such a young guy », explained Stella.

« Oscar’s performance is simply exceptional, and he is only a beginner. From the tests, he immediately showed great speed, said Andrea Stella, praising Oscar Piastri’s performance at Silverstone. The McLarens impressed with their pace, as did the driver.

A working duo with Norris

Andrea Stella also explained after the Grand Prix that the relationship between Piastri and Norris was beneficial and allowed them to evolve in the right direction. The Team Principal even specified that « in certain corners, he has been a good reference for Lando. »

This allows for creating synergies among the pilots, as each one can see where they can improve, which enhances their performance. Not only are we impressed, but having two competitive drivers is a clear advantage for each of them,” rejoiced the Italian technician who took office at the beginning of the season.

For Oscar Piastri, he will need to continue performing in this manner to gain even more importance at McLaren and in Formula 1 in general. But after 10 races, the Australian rookie has already shown why McLaren has placed such a big bet on him.