Oscar Piastri says the upcoming flurry of new tracks will present his biggest challenge to round out his rookie season in Formula 1. The Australian driver has enjoyed a strong first year in F1 alongside Lando Norris, scoring a best result of fourth at Silverstone in the first 14 races. Piastri joined McLaren having sat out last year’s campaign following his title win in Formula 2 in 2021 and Alpine not finding a seat for its junior driver. As he spent the first half of the year getting to grips with competing full-time in F1, Piastri was able to compete at many tracks he had driven before in junior categories, such as Silverstone, the Hungaroring, Spa and Monza.
Piastri expects challenges from new tracks
However, with maiden visits to tracks such as Singapore, Suzuka and Interlagos coming up, the 22-year-old says his biggest challenge will alter at the final events of the year. "I think there'll probably be some more ups and downs," he told media including RacingNews365. "I think the difference between the flyways and new circuits at the beginning of the year was that I was trying to learn new circuits and the new car as well. "Whereas now I feel like, although we're still putting new parts in the car, I'm much more comfortable in the car and what I need from it, how to drive it quickly to get the most out of it. "That's always a very comforting aspect, no matter which track you go to. So I feel like that aspect is easier. It should be easier. "Of course the [upcoming] tracks I don't know. But I think compared to the European tracks, I've got a bit more experience of the car, less experience of the track, so we will see. "Singapore will probably be difficult. It's a tough track, it’s a new track. “I’ll try to do my best and I think the way of approaching it doesn't really change apart from maybe giving a bit more margin to the walls on Friday."
Most read
