Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris: these names are redefining the current generation of drivers in Formula 1, bringing new life and competition to the highest levels. Among these already established talents, Oscar Piastri, in his second year in the queen category, is quickly emerging as one of the most promising. With extraordinary talent and an impressive speed of adaptation, the Australian has attracted the attention not only of fans, but also of leading figures in the paddock, such as Flavio Briatore: according to the iconic manager and current special advisor of Alpine, Piastri he has all it takes to become a future world champion with McLaren.
Flavio Briatore: “I believe that Piastri is one of the next world champions”
During a recent podcast interview Formula For Success, hosted by Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard, Flavio Briatore expressed his confidence in Oscar Piastri's abilities, calling him "one of the next world champions". Briatore declared: “I believe Piastri is one of the next world champions. If it's not next year, it will certainly be by 2027." Briatore added that the Australian driver's future also depends on the competitiveness of his team: "If McLaren still has this car, Piastri will be one of the best drivers."
Briatore did not fail to underline the fundamental role of Mark Webber, Piastri's manager and his long-time friend: “Mark is one of the best people I have met in Formula 1. He has always been loyal, he has always done his duty. He is the person who impressed me most in Formula 1." His words highlight the esteem and trust that Briatore has for Webber, considered a key element in the future success of Piastri. During the podcast, when Jordan asked him if Webber had learned a lot from his management, Briatore responded with a laugh: "Well, the fact that Piastri looks like a world champion, yes."
From Alpine to McLaren: Piastri's career
Oscar Piastri was an Alpine driver until 2022, the year in which market dynamics saw him as the protagonist of an intricate contractual affair. Alpine had initially slated Piastri as Fernando Alonso's replacement, but that quickly changed when the Australian signed a contract with McLaren. Alpine's error in the announcement and the resulting dispute paved the way for the transfer of Piastri, who found himself racing for the Woking team.
The move to McLaren marked a new chapter in Piastri's career, which demonstrated his ability and adaptability. With McLaren, Piastri achieved significant results, including a victory at the Hungaroring and numerous podiums, proving that his decision to leave Alpine was justified. His rapid rise and consistent performances have cemented his reputation as one of Formula 1's brightest talents.
The present and future of Piastri: a career on the rise
Oscar Piastri is experiencing a starring role in 2024, establishing himself as one of the emerging stars of Formula 1. In his second season in the Circus, the Australian has already managed to achieve four podiums, including a victory at the Hungaroring, demonstrating not only speed but also uncommon maturity. Currently, Piastri finds himself in fourth position in the drivers' standings, 32 points behind his teammate, Lando Norris, who has been competing in Formula 1 since 2019. This figure is indicative of the level of competitiveness reached by the young driver, who is keeping head to a more experienced and established partner.
McLaren and its title prospects
Looking to the future, McLaren appears to have all it takes to support Piastri on his path to the world title. The team, after facing some difficult seasons, returned to being competitive thanks to a technical package that proved to be on par with the best teams. If the positive trend continues, Piastri could already aim for the world title in 2025, the year in which the championship conditions will remain stable before the introduction of the new regulations scheduled for 2026. However, Briatore and other industry experts see 2027 as the crucial year for the Australian, when new regulations could revolutionize the grid and offer Piastri the opportunity to emerge as the best driver of his generation.
