FIA Formula 2 Champion, Oscar Piastri will make his Formula One debut in 2023 for McLaren F1 Team. 

He will join fellow Formula 2 graduate Lando Norris as team mates . Piastri replaces compatriot Daniel Ricciardo. 

Piastri is highly regarded among F2 fans as one of the greatest drivers since the series’ rebranding in 2017. He won the 2021 championship with the help of his bold overtakes, consistency and five race wins across the season- including four consecutive Feature Race victories.

The 2021 Formula 2 season had a trialled layout. Each of the eight rounds consisted of three races each: two Sprint Races and one Feature Race. This meant that qualifying was crucial for a successful season. Five back-to-back pole positions helped Piastri’s championship campaign massively as it meant he was able to capitalise during the Feature Races which held the most points.

His F2 championship came just one year after winning the 2020 Formula 3 season. He took the crown in the final race in Mugello, which he controlled perfectly to beat fellow F1 graduate and former teammate, Logan Sargeant and current F2 driver Théo Pourchaire.

All of this should make him perfect for F1… shouldn’t it?

Despite a lot of expectation, Piastri insists there is ‘no extra pressure’, although he hasn’t raced since 2021. He spent the 2022 season as Alpine F1 Team’s reserve driver until he departed following his move to McLaren in the summer.

After the excitement Piastri created in 2021, we can’t wait to see how he performs in Formula One. In two weeks time we may even see him make a brave lunge down the inside of Turn 1 in Bahrain once again (maybe not for a race win this time)!

Image: McLaren F1