Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris gave Max Verstappen one of the best runs of the season. The McLaren team became the only other team to achieve a double podium this season other than Red Bull. And while Mercedes was seen fighting off each other, Ferrari laughed at their strategies. However, Piastri could have pulled off one of Lando’s nefarious plans at the beginning of the Japanese Grand Prix.
It was after the qualifications when Lando Norris suggested Piastri to pull off a Senna-Prost. The Senna-Prost incident for two consecutive years has stayed in people’s minds as a legendary battle for a title. Norris asked his papaya teammate if he could hit Verstappen and get him. Well, Piastri made sure he had a response to it. When talking with Autosport, he said,
“Looking back at it now, I was in the perfect position to emulate Senna and Prost. Like literally perfect!”
Following his maiden podium, Oscar Piastri cheekily harked back to Lando Norris’ Senna/Prost 1990 request from after qualifying at the #JapaneseGP 😅
Absolute scenes if it had happened… 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/2Cz6yBUfSd
— Autosport (@autosport) September 24, 2023
The Aussie driver was sure he could pull it off however, the stakes were different and Piastri had a position to maintain. After some great upgrades to the papaya cars, the team has been doing its absolute finest climbing the Constructor’s Championship. Although a little far away, it’s not too late for them to at least catch on. And while they celebrate their podiums, Mercedes, their partner company is preparing to attack next year.
Why is Oscar Piastri considered similar to Max Verstappen in his rookie season?
Oscar Piastri who was planning to join Red Bull Junior’s program soon saw himself finding a place on the McLaren papaya team. The Aussie driver was a well-known and wanted rookie specifically for his hunger and talent. After great runs in Formula 2 and Formula 3, he was brought in for his first season in McLaren Formula 1. However, no one had come was the rookie resembled Max Verstappen in his rookie season.
Max Verstappen made a buzz when he joined the Scuderia Toro Rosso team. The sister team which is now AlphaTauri saw Verstappen’s potential as he brought the non-competitive car to great results. Piastri has one and the same. With only in his debut season, he has won his first podium. This incredible hunger, drive, and determination to get ahead of everyone has Max Verstappen two championships now.
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Allard Kalff of Viaplay too suggested by saying, “They are the same type, they have to fight for it. He [Piastri] had to become champion every time to continue.” According to him, Piastri is no different to Verstappen. The sport will not be watching another potential generational champion. Kalff mentioned he is capable of challenging Verstappen for a championship someday. And for Piastri, it seems everything is playing in his hands.