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

Oscar Piastri is making his debut with McLaren this season from Alpine after a switch saga final summer time; Piastri companions Lando Norris in 2023; pre-season testing reside on Sky Sports F1 from February 23-25 earlier than season-opening Bahrain GP on March 5

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has admitted “there’ll be some rust” throughout his rookie Formula 1 season after not racing for over a yr however insists he is not feeling extra stress following his contentious transfer from Alpine.

The 21-year-old was Alpine’s reserve driver in 2022, however this season he’ll companion Lando Norris at McLaren after changing the underperforming Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri comes into F1 with so much of expectation after being the primary driver to win Formula Renault (2019), Formula 3 (2020) and Formula 2 (2021) in consecutive years.

At McLaren’s automotive launch, Piastri instructed Sky Sports News: “I think for the beginning of the year, my first in F1, a new team for me, and I haven’t raced for over a year, there’ll be some rust.

“I simply must deal with myself and work with my group to try to get again on top of things as rapidly as doable, as a result of there’s just a few issues with out racing which you could’t actually prepare.”

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McLaren have revealed their new MCL60 for the 2023 F1 season

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

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

“No extra stress,” added Piastri. “Coming into F1 from earlier leads to junior classes, there’s going to be expectation.

“While the drama created a lot of attention, it has nothing to do with my driving. Results create the expectation. I don’t think that adds anything – I’m going into the season pretty comfortable.

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McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says all his attention is on making the MCL60 a ‘quick car’

“Once information got here out it was all clear I hadn’t achieved something improper. Time is a healer.”

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

CEO Zak Brown instructed Sky Sports News: “Impressed with how he dealt with himself underneath stress and amid unfair and inaccurate accusations.

“Thought the way he conducted himself showed how mature, focused and calm he is. Since then, that’s what I’ve continued to see. On NYE he’s just chilling out thinking about racing.”

Pre-season testing is on February 23-25 in Bahrain earlier than the season begins on the identical monitor with the Bahrain GP on March 5. Testing in addition to each apply, qualifying and race session will likely be reside on Sky Sports F1.