Oscar Piastri finds 'forever' McLaren comfort in bid for 'years of success'

Oscar Piastri has no doubt he still has "things to work on" for the new F1 season ahead, but feels there are plenty of positives from his failed title challenge last year which will stand him in good stead "forever".

Piastri missed out on becoming the F1 drivers' champion by 13 points to McLaren team-mate Lando Norris at the end of a record-equalling 24 grand prix season that he led for the majority of it.

At one stage, after his seventh victory of the season in the first race after the summer break in the Netherlands, Piastri was odds-on to become Australia's first champion since Alan Jones in 1980.

Over the remaining nine races, however, Piastri only managed three further podiums as Norris eventually overhauled him before going on to claim the title.

Despite the pain of such a defeat, Piastri can at least see the positives he is confident will lead to a bigger and better season this year.

"There were so many parts of the season that were successful, and so many parts of the season that I look back on with great memories," said Piastri, speaking to Australian broadcaster 7Sport.

"The amount of confidence that I found throughout the year, in myself and my own abilities, is something I can take forever.

"Definitely some things to work on, and [there were] a few moments that I probably wish I had again, and I'm sure the team think the same.

"But it's all going to make me stronger for the future, and we've got plenty more years of success to come, hopefully."

Piastri knows he will also be buoyed by a fanbase that has grown considerably over his three seasons in F1, especially those from Australia.

"For the European part of the season, there are maybe not quite as many," he said. "But the Aussies that are there make their support felt. We're not always the biggest crowd, but we're normally the loudest, so it's always great to feel that.

"There are a few races a bit closer to home, Singapore, for example. For me, the amount of support and the amount of fans that I gained through the year that I could see in the grandstands was really, really special. So hopefully that trend continues."