Oscar Piastri: McLaren rookie insists there’s ‘no extra pressure’ ahead of 2023 Formula 1 after Alpine ‘drama’

Oscar Piastri makes his McLaren debut this season from Alpine after a transfer saga last summer; Piastri partners with Lando Norris in 2023; pre-season testing live on Sky Sports F1 from February 23-25 ​​before the Bahrain GP opens on March 5

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has admitted ‘there will be rust’ in his rookie season in Formula 1 after not racing for over a year, but insists he doesn’t feel any added pressure following his controversial departure from Alpine.

The 21-year-old was Alpine’s reserve driver in 2022, but this season he will be partnered with Lando Norris at McLaren after replacing underachieving Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri comes to F1 with high expectations after being the first driver to win Formula Renault (2019), Formula 3 (2020) and Formula 2 (2021) in consecutive years.

At the launch of McLaren’s car, Piastri said Sky Sports News“I think for the start of the year, my first in F1, a new team for me, and I haven’t raced in over a year, there will be some rust.

“I just need to focus on myself and work with my team to try to get back up to speed as quickly as possible because there are just some things without racing that you can’t really train.”

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The Australian controversially signed for McLaren after rejecting a promotion to Alpine, with a court hearing – ruled in his favor – required to confirm the process was legal.

But five months later Piastri feels unscathed by what happened and is now preparing to race alongside Norris, who has quickly established himself as one of F1’s top drivers.

“No extra pressure,” added Piastri. “Coming into F1 after previous results in the junior categories, there will be expectations.

“While the drama has garnered a lot of attention, it has nothing to do with my driving. The results create expectation. I don’t think it adds anything – I’m approaching the season quite comfortably.

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“Once the facts were out, it was clear I had done nothing wrong. Time is a healer.”

Piastri’s response to Alpine originally announcing him as their 2023 driver quickly divided opinion, but the McLaren hierarchy is full of praise for the way he has acted throughout.

CEO Zak Brown said Sky Sports News“Impressed with the way he performed under pressure and in the midst of unfair and inaccurate accusations.

“I thought the way he conducted himself showed how mature, focused and calm he was. Since then, that’s what I’ve continued to see. At NYE, he relaxes thinking about the race.”

Pre-season testing will take place February 23-25 ​​in Bahrain before the start of the season on the same track as the Bahrain GP on March 5. Testing as well as all practice, qualifying and race sessions will be live on Sky Sports F1.