Oscar Piastri is destined to become a Formula 1 champion as his development “hasn’t dulled” since his debut, according to his McLaren race engineer Tom Stallard.
Piastri burst onto the F1 scene after a dramatic fallout with Alpine in 2022, which led to a highly charged and politically shocking move to McLaren from last season.
His impact on the sport was immediate, becoming one of only two drivers to beat a dominant Max Verstappen in 2023 with his maiden victory in the Qatar Sprint race.
This term has seen a further step forward, with victories in Hungary and Baku, the latter a masterclass in defensive driving as he held back a charging Charles Leclerc.
Stallard praised Piastri’s development and, when asked, predicted the young Australian would become the first Australian to win an F1 title since Alan Jones in 1980.
“Yeah, absolutely. His rate of improvement hasn’t really dulled in 39 races,” Stallard told the F1 Nation podcast.
“He keeps learning, he keeps improving, he keeps wanting information, going through stuff. We discuss things. He goes and executes it.” Stallard said.
“So for me, if you’re improving at that rate, what’s the limit?
“The limit comes when that improvement flattens off, and at the moment we’ve seen no sign of that flattening off, so that’s obviously going well.”
Early signs of a leader in waiting
Stallard highlighted the growing leadership skills that Piastri is already beginning to show, crucial when fighting for a title across the duration of a full season.
According to the seasoned race engineer, who has worked with the likes of 2009 World Champion Jenson Button, these skills can only come from total self-belief, rare in a driver so young.
“One of the things that World Champion drivers do is to galvanise the team and the factory into having great belief, not just in that driver but also in themselves,” he confirmed.
“It’s a strange environment because you’re 22-years-old and suddenly you’re a leader in a company of a thousand people, essentially, which doesn’t happen to very many 22-year-olds.
“The team looks at you for guidance and support and leadership, and his ability to do that is also really coming on and developing.”
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