Oscar Piastri’s performance in Formula 1 has been marked by constant evolution, and the McLaren driver revealed what he considers essential to maintain this growth. According to the Australian, being authentic and showing his personality off the track has been decisive in feeling more comfortable and achieving better results.
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Since his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in 2023, Piastri has had a rapid rise, totaling nine victories in just over three seasons. His first triumph came in his debut year, in the Sprint race in Qatar, while his first GP victory happened the following season in Hungary, marking the beginning of an even stronger phase.
The Australian was even considered the title favorite for much of last season, but a drop in performance at the end of the championship allowed the trophy to go to his teammate, Lando Norris. Even so, Piastri has come to be seen as one of the fastest and calmest drivers on the grid, with a direct and seemingly unflappable demeanor.
In an interview with Fox Sports, the Australian driver explained that he feels more comfortable now than in his first year in the category: “I certainly feel more comfortable now than I did in my first year in Formula 1. It has always been important to me to be who I am off the track as well and not try to force something that isn’t part of me,” he stated.
Piastri also commented that showing humor and lightness can be a powerful tool, as long as results follow: “It’s always linked to performance on the track. I often find it hard to make jokes or tease someone if you can’t back it up with results. For me, being relaxed and being myself has always been natural,” he said.
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The Australian added that, with time and results, it becomes easier to show one’s own personality: “As you feel more comfortable, you start making jokes, like about not competing in the first two races of the year. Once you achieve some results and earn respect, you feel more at ease showing who you are and not always being the super professional driver,” he added.
Even after facing two problems in the first two races of the 2026 season, including a crash on the formation lap in front of his home fans at the Australian GP, Piastri managed to bounce back with a P2 in the race in Japan. The result reinforced his recovery capacity and sustained confidence in his more relaxed approach.
With McLaren still looking to resolve difficulties at the start of the season, the expectation is that if the team manages to evolve, Piastri can return to fighting for victories. Given his recent trajectory and growing confidence, the Australian emerges once again as a strong name to compete for prominent positions throughout the championship.
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