Oscar Piastri achieved a remarkable milestone last weekend by clinching victory in Saudi Arabia, propelling him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings. This triumph marks the first time an Australian has led the standings since Mark Webber in 2010, a feat that fills his home country with pride. Nevertheless, it’s not just Australia celebrating his success. Piastri’s paternal ties to Italy give another nation reason to boast, even if Piastri’s demeanor defies traditional Italian stereotypes.
Though Piastri’s Italian heritage might imply fiery and expressive traits, he has consistently shown an astonishing level of calmness and composure. His calm demeanor on the track is a characteristic noted by many, including Guenther Steiner, who emphasized this point during a Red Flags Podcast episode. Steiner, himself Italian, was not critiquing Piastri’s heritage but instead highlighting the Melbourne-born driver’s rare ability to stay collected under pressure, often outperforming his rival and teammate Lando Norris.
“We all see it, he’s so calm about things,” Steiner observed. “He’s very mature. Talent-wise, they’re [Norris and Piastri] equal. He just stays calm. Whatever happens, he just seems to be very non-Italian.” Piastri’s calmness helps him maintain consistency, unaffected by disappointments, such as finishing second—something that would unsettle a less composed driver.
Piastri’s tranquility remains unparalleled, even notable during celebratory moments. When he secured his first victory at the Hungary Grand Prix last year, his understated celebration illustrated his focus and modest nature. Yet, Piastri acknowledges the inner turmoil he occasionally experiences. “I know I come across as very calm but I’m not a robot. I do have peaks and troughs… I’m probably more on the relaxed side of things, but there is definitely being too relaxed too,” he admitted previously.
Despite Piastri’s composed exterior, his diverse heritage adds layers to his personality. Besides his Italian roots, his multifaceted background includes Yugoslavian, Chinese, Scottish, and Irish influences, indicating a wealth of cultural characteristics. This was humorously spotlighted when Piastri joked about needing an extended family when visiting race venues globally. In Monaco, Charles Leclerc jestingly offered to adopt him, signifying potential honorary Monegasque traits in Piastri’s character.
Oscar Piastri’s calm demeanor could significantly influence the F1 landscape in the coming years. His victory in Saudi Arabia not only demonstrates his potential to become one of the leading drivers but also challenges traditional perceptions of heritage defining personality. As the season progresses, an intriguing question remains: will Piastri garner further influence and etch his name into the annals of Formula 1 history by maintaining his deliberate, composed approach?
