The biggest lesson Piastri took away from stellar rookie campaign

Oscar Piastri has labelled his biggest lesson from his rookie Formula 1 season with McLaren.

The Australian joined the Woking-based squad after spending several years as part of Alpine's junior academy.

Although he was largely outpaced by more experienced team-mate Lando Norris, Piastri was praised for his efforts and was named the FIA's Rookie of the Year at the Prize-Giving gala earlier this month.

Piastri ended the campaign with two podiums to his name, as well as victory at the Sprint race in Qatar.

His performances impressed McLaren and prompted the team to offer Piastri an extension until the end of the 2026 season, which he signed.

Piastri reflects on rookie season

After ending the year ninth in the Drivers' Championship, the highest for a rookie since Alex Albon in 2019, Piastri believes that navigating the pressure of F1's fine margins was the biggest lesson he took on.

“There's been a lot of lessons,” he told media including RacingNews365.

“I think, for me, you can't rest, making a mistake in Formula 1 costs you a lot more than it might do otherwise.

“All the drivers are extremely competitive. All the teams are now extremely competitive.

"If you take it a little bit easy you can suddenly lose a lot of time, a lot of positions. So that's probably the biggest one.

“There's been specifics on driving and energy management as well. It's been a busy year.

“But just how competitive everything's been, that you can't rest on your laurels [is the biggest lesson].”