Oscar Piastri’s Masterclass in Baku: A Champion in the Making

Oscar Piastri's triumph at his second Grand Prix underscores his potential as a future Formula 1 world champion, according to Lewis Larkam in Baku.

Oscar Piastri secured his second Formula 1 win, delivering an outstanding performance in Baku that marked the highlight of his promising but still early career in the sport.

Starting alongside Charles Leclerc, who has clinched the pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix four times, the driver from McLaren kept close to the Ferrari for the initial laps of the 51-lap race on Sunday. Then, on the 20th lap, he executed a bold overtaking maneuver.

Piastri "clung tenaciously" for the following 31 laps to clinch his second grand prix win of the year, a feat he believes "certainly ranks as one of the finest races of my career."

On his way to an impressive victory, the 23-year-old Australian showcased skills that even his McLaren team didn't anticipate, proving he has the potential to become an F1 world champion.

Accuracy and Implementation

Piastri's maneuver to pass Leclerc was extraordinary. Starting from what appeared to be an unlikely gap, the McLaren competitor skillfully and daringly propelled his vehicle to sneak in front of the Monegasque at the first turn.

The breathtaking maneuver seemed to completely astonish Leclerc, yet Piastri performed it with exceptional precision and judgment. There was no sign of hesitation or loss of control. He managed to avoid locking up or veering off course, and he didn’t collide with his competitor or any of the barriers.

Piastri openly stated that his decisive move was the key to his victory. He admitted to disregarding the guidance of his race engineer, Tom Stallard, who had suggested a cautious approach with the tyres in the initial part of the race, opting instead for an aggressive pass. Piastri felt it was a critical moment and let his natural racing instinct guide him.

"I ended up feeling somewhat guilty towards my race engineer since my attempt during the initial phase led to me entirely wearing out my tires," he explained. "Hence, my engineer communicated over the radio, suggesting we avoid repeating that, in essence. Despite that, I disregarded his advice on the following lap and aggressively made my move on the inside."

"Seizing that chance was crucial, as it felt like it was my only shot. Charles deserves recognition for his fairness. Perhaps he assumed I would just coast into the run-off, but to my delight, I managed to navigate the turn successfully."

"Opting for a daring strategy was necessary for my attempt to clinch victory in the race, as the idea of settling for second place didn't appeal to me at all. Thus, taking that risk was inevitable."

McLaren's team leader Andrea Stella confessed he was uncertain if Piastri could successfully execute the move from that far behind.

"Seeing the maneuver unfold in real-time and observing him cut to the inside, my gut reaction was that he intended to extend his lead," Stella remarked. "However, what I really want to highlight is the remarkable precision Oscar demonstrated when navigating the inner apex kerb at the first turn. The move caught me off guard, yet Oscar consistently astonishes us with his skill and prowess."

Strategic Defense

Right after taking the lead, the strategy shifted from offense to defense as Piastri effectively blocked Leclerc on the quick approach to Turn 2. To clinch the victory, Piastri was tasked with fending off Leclerc for 31 laps, thwarting multiple efforts by the Ferrari driver to reclaim the top spot.

Even though Leclerc consistently benefited from DRS, Piastri skillfully pushed his opponent to the outer edge of Turn 1 whenever he attempted to overtake. Piastri's strategic placement of his vehicle and the impressive grip his McLaren maintained as they came out of Turn 1 were key factors in effectively blocking Leclerc's advances.

In response to whether Piastri's effective defense against Leclerc showcased McLaren's vehicle performance or the driver's skills, Stella stated, "I believe it's a mix of both. Ninety percent is due to Oscar's decision-making, and the initial maneuver is always the toughest since you lack prior benchmarks at that point."

"I believe that after his initial attempt, he likely sought out references, which made subsequent efforts smoother for him. However, during the first attempt, one must make very precise judgments to avoid being overtaken before reaching Turn 2 or before entering the next DRS zone leading to Turn 3."

“I believe that what benefits Oscar with the car is its excellent grip. It's evident that our vehicle's back end performs well, particularly at speeds of around 100 km/h or higher, which is the speed you're at in the first turn. This is certainly an aspect Oscar took advantage of, but it wouldn't have been successful without precise driving skills.”

Coping with stress during competition

Piastri characterized the race on Sunday as the "most tension-filled moment" he has ever experienced – though it was not apparent from his outward demeanor. Behind the wheel, he remained calm and controlled, exhibiting a level of composure that has become his hallmark.

Apart from a dramatic synchronized drift around the last turn with Leclerc on the 42nd lap, showcasing the intense effort both competitors were putting in to win on the challenging streets of Baku, and a few minor brushes with the walls, there were no clear errors committed.

McLaren was most struck by Piastri's psychological strength, as he remained composed under heavy scrutiny on one of the calendar's toughest tracks.

"Stella mentioned, 'Today, he showcased his psychological resilience as well. His driving was reminiscent of a seasoned driver, accustomed to handling such pressure."

"He has the remarkable ability to simultaneously observe one eye in the mirror and the other on the braking point, executing this repeatedly with exceptional precision and control. Remarkably, he maintains this control even while communicating over the radio. Truly, he's an extraordinary driver who delivered an outstanding performance today."

Piastri, who rapidly ascended to Formula 1 after clinching consecutive championships in both F3 and F2, recognized this victory as the most significant achievement in his brief career thus far, stating, "I believe that stands out as likely the greatest victory of my career."

The worrisome aspect for his competitors, such as McLaren colleague Lando Norris, is that Piastri is expected to improve even further moving forward.

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