Oscar Piastri 'push' after initial rejection revealed by legendary F1 champion

Alain Prost has revealed the vital role he played in steering world title hopeful Oscar Piastri to F1.

The four-time F1 champion could see traits of his own driving style in Piastri during the Australian's early junior career, notably finishing second in the British F4 championship in 2017.

After winning the Formula Renault Eurocup two years later, in early 2020, Piastri was then signed to the Renault Sporting Academy, which went on to become the Alpine Academy the following year.

A contract dispute between Alpine and Piastri followed ahead of the F3 and F2 champion being given his chance in F1 by McLaren in 2023.

Speaking to former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the weekend, Prost said: "I know Oscar much better [than McLaren team-mate Lando Norris] because I was the one to push Renault to bring him into the academy a long time ago. They did not want to.

"I saw him driving in Formula 3, or even 4, and then Formula 2."

As to what he sees in Piastri that reminds him of himself, Prost added: "I like the way he behaves, a little bit like me, thinking about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever.

"I like him, you know. You never know what's going to happen, but this type of driver, normally they can make a progression. With some, if it's only the driving skill, sometimes they are at a plateau."

Prost conceded to not knowing Norris "very much", although refused to be drawn on his tip for the championship, simply stating that "the best should win, and that's it".

McLaren will not have a problem

Prost is, however, delighted to see two McLaren drivers going head to head for the title, just as he and Ayrton Senna infamously did for two years in 1988 and 1989.

Despite what unfolded between him and Senna, Prost still has good memories of his time with the team 

"It’s my family, because I started with McLaren,” he said. "I had an unbelievable time at McLaren, even if I finished with a difficult ’89, but remember that I came back for two years, '95, '96, in a different role. So I’m always very close to this team."

Although there have been legendary team-mate rivalries in F1 in the past, aside from Prost and Senna, such as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg most recently at Mercedes, the Frenchman feels McLaren has a handle on Piastri and Norris. 

“The championship is very difficult when two drivers are fighting for the title," he said. "But if they have enough advantage over the other teams and drivers, they are going to let them drive and fight, which is the best for the sport.

"If it’s getting closer and one driver or team is much closer, then it’s going to become more difficult. At the moment, I don’t think they [McLaren] will have this problem."