Alain Prost disclosed that he played a crucial role in persuading Renault, now Alpine, to bring Oscar Piastri into their junior driver academy well before the driver became prominent in Formula 1. This revelation sheds light on the complex relationship between Piastri and Alpine, which unraveled amid contractual disputes in 2022.
Piastri, hailed for his rapid rise through the junior ranks by winning Formula Renault, Formula 3, and Formula 2 championships consecutively, was initially signed by Alpine’s junior programme in 2020. His steady ascent saw him take a reserve driver role at Alpine early in 2022, following his Formula 2 title, before being announced as Fernando Alonso’s successor for the 2023 racing season. However, Alpine’s announcement of Piastri as their official race driver proved premature, as the team had never secured his signature contractually. This sparked a public dispute when Piastri instead signed with McLaren for 2023, causing confusion over his status.
Prost’s View on Piastri’s Driving and Alpine’s Reluctance
Prost admitted that Alpine was initially hesitant to include Piastri in their driver programme, despite the Frenchman’s confidence in the young Australian’s talent. Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Prost said,
“I know Oscar much better because I was the one to push Renault to bring him in, in the academy a long time ago; they did not want to,”
He explained his admiration for Piastri’s style and mindset, saying,
“I saw him driving in Formula 3, or even before, and then Formula 2.”
Prost highlighted that Piastri’s approach to racing reminded him of his own calculated driving tactics:
“I like the way he behaves, a little bit like me, thinking about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever.”
He further reflected on Piastri’s potential, acknowledging the uncertainty around any young driver’s future but expressing optimism, noting that some drivers plateau if their skill is limited to driving alone. In a separate comment, Prost pointed out,
“I don’t know Lando [Norris] very much, but honestly, for this type of championship, the best should win.”
Oscar Piastri’s Self-Assessment and Driving Philosophy
Piastri himself has drawn parallels between his style and that of Alain Prost, rather than Ayrton Senna, emphasizing an adaptive and measured approach to racing. In an interview with Speedcafe, when asked about his driving style compared to the McLaren icons, he remarked,
“I would say much, much closer to Prost in that side of things.”
He explained that the modern Formula 1 cars require drivers to minimize sliding and maintain straighter lines due to the aerodynamic design and tyre characteristics:
“I think with the amount of downforce we have on the cars these days, I think you have to drive them quite straight. And with the tyres we have as well, they just don’t like being sideways, so you have to always adapt to what you’ve got around you.”
Piastri emphasized adaptability as a key strength, noting the varied characteristics of cars he has driven through his progression:
“All the junior cars that I drove all had pretty different characteristics,”
“In F1, there’s certain characteristics that are nice and some that are not so nice, but you’ve got to be able to drive with all of them.”
Oscar Piastri’s Impact and McLaren’s Intense Title Fight
Since joining Formula 1, Oscar Piastri has impressed fans, teammates, and experts alike with a composed and consistent racing style. His flawless attendance in all racing laps during the 2024 season marks him as the only driver to achieve this feat so far. Additionally, he holds a notable points-scoring streak, having scored points in 38 consecutive races since the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
This streak stands as the third-longest in F1 history, trailing only Lewis Hamilton’s 48 and Max Verstappen’s 43 consecutive points finishes. His strong start has positioned him as a leading contender in a closely fought championship battle with McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
Together, Piastri and Norris have secured nine wins out of twelve races in the current season, with Piastri winning five. Despite a penalty that cost him at the British Grand Prix, Piastri remains just eight points shy of Norris. Their competition has helped McLaren surge ahead in the Constructors’ Championship, where the team holds a substantial lead over Mercedes, the nearest pursuer.
With both drivers chasing their first drivers’ title and striving to bring McLaren its first championship win since Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 triumph, the rivalry is fierce but respectful. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has emphasized a fair contest between the two, stating,
“Race each other hard, race each other clean, and try and get as many points on the board for the team,”
“Then it’s up to them to decide who is in front of who.”
What Lies Ahead for Piastri and Alpine’s Legacy
The contractual wrangling between Alpine and Piastri exposed underlying tensions in managing young talent, illustrating the challenges teams face in securing promising drivers amid competitive offers. Prost’s involvement in initially bringing Piastri into Alpine’s fold reflects the high regard in which the Australian has been held from the start.
As Piastri’s career progresses with McLaren’s strong machinery and leadership, his journey continues to captivate the Formula 1 world. The ongoing title battle with Norris promises to define the next era for McLaren and potentially reshapes the balance of power in the sport.
For Alpine, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of clear contracts and proactive driver management, especially when nurturing stars expected to move swiftly from juniors to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. “Did charles leclerc adopt oscar piastri? that answer also changed a few weeks ago, and yes, i did. he’s one of my sons now.”
A. Did Charles decide to adopt Oscar Piastri?
Q. Is Oscar Piastri a nice person?
A. This seems to be the first occasion when Oscar Piastri, known for his great personality, appeared upset following the race. His reaction, in our terms, would be called ‘grumpy.’ I can’t fault him for feeling that way.
Q. How did Lily Zneimer and Oscar Piastri meet?
A. They crossed paths at boarding school. At Haileybury, he met Zneimer, and they started dating in their next-to-last year. Piastri shared on the Eff Won podcast in 2023 that they’ve been in a relationship for over four years since then.
