Oscar Piastri hails McLaren’s winning culture amidst debut Formula 1 season.
In a breakout debut season, Australian driver Oscar Piastri has showered praise on McLaren’s resilient “culture” that fuelled his impressive rookie campaign in
Transitioning from Alpine amid contractual complexities, Piastri’s journey was marked by challenges, yet culminated in a triumph at the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint.
Reflecting on his inaugural year with McLaren, Piastri highlighted the team’s welcoming environment and unwavering motivation during tough times. “From the moment I joined the team, I felt there was firstly a very good culture, the team was very welcoming to me,” Piastri stated.
Acknowledging initial struggles with car performance, Piastri expressed confidence in McLaren’s ability to turn the tide. “Just the confidence we could turn it around has been nice to see. When I first joined the team, I thought we were ready to be competing at the front. We just needed the tools and the car to be able to do it,” he added.
Teaming up with Lando Norris, Piastri contributed to McLaren’s podium contention, emerging as a formidable challenger to Red Bull in the second half of the season. The Australian driver attributed McLaren’s success to the harmonious relationships within the team, emphasizing the friendliness and collaboration across the garage.
“Just the bond and relationship between everyone is really good to see, and some of the initiatives we have got as well, some of the other areas of performance that aren’t necessarily related to the car,” Piastri explained, emphasizing the team’s holistic approach beyond on-track performance.
As the thrilling 2023 season concludes, F1 enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the dawn of 2024. Teams and drivers, including McLaren, will regroup for pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, aiming to showcase the potential of their new machines on February 23-25.
