Oscar Piastri’s rise in Formula 1 has taken a significant leap in 2024, with the young Australian now firmly established as a championship contender. Backed by his manager and former F1 driver Mark Webber, Piastri has impressed fans and experts alike with his composure, pace, and consistency on track.
Making his debut with McLaren in 2023, Piastri has quickly adapted to the highest level of motorsport. This season, he’s already secured two victories — in Bahrain and China — and sits second in the championship standings with 74 points, just behind Max Verstappen. Notably, he’s outperformed teammate Lando Norris despite both driving the same car.
Mark Webber praised Piastri’s rapid development during an appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, highlighting his ability to convert pole positions into wins and consistently secure podium finishes. “Four wins now, 13 podiums so early in his career is, of course, a really huge feather in his cap,” Webber stated. “He’s converted the two poles straight away. What we’re seeing quite early in his career is a job well done so far.”
Despite McLaren boasting arguably the fastest car on the grid, Piastri is not taking anything for granted. After his Bahrain win, he warned against complacency. Speaking to RacingNews365, he said, “Our advantage is not enough to be careless. You still need to execute as best as you can. The gap isn’t much, and we saw that in Japan when Max put in a great performance.”
With only 15 points separating the top four drivers, the title race remains tightly contested. However, Piastri’s mature approach and impressive form have made him a standout in the early stages of the season.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the McLaren driver to see if he can maintain his momentum and challenge Verstappen for the crown.