Oscar Piastri McLaren Artura

Oscar Piastri is a rising star in the world of Formula One. Oscar Piastri car isn’t part of a massive collection – that will come later when this talented young driver achieves greatness.

The 22-year-old Australian has made a remarkable journey from karting to the pinnacle of motorsport, winning three championships in a row in the junior categories. In 2023, he made his F1 debut with McLaren, one of the most successful and historic teams in the sport.

But who is Oscar Piastri, and what makes him so special? Here are some facts, you need to know about the rookie McLaren F1driver.

Where Was Oscar Piastri Born?

Oscar Piastri Car - RC

Piastri was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 6 April 2001. He started racing remote controlled cars at a national level before switching to karting in 2011. 

He moved to the United Kingdom in 2016 to pursue his racing career in Europe, where he competed in various CIK-FIA sanctioned karting championships.

How Did Oscar Piastri Get into Motor Racing?

Piastri made his single-seater debut in 2016, racing in selected rounds of the Formula 4 UAE Championship with Dragon F4.

He then joined TRS Arden Junior Racing Team for the British F4 championship in 2017, where he finished as runner-up to Jamie Caroline with six wins and six pole positions. 

He also caught the attention of Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner, who later revealed that he missed a chance to sign Piastri to their junior team.

Oscar Piastri’s Road to F1

Piastri continued his impressive ascent through the ranks.

  • He won the Formula Renault Eurocup with R-ace GP in 2019.
  • He won the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing in 2020.
  • He won the Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing in 2021.
  • He is only the sixth driver to win the GP2 / Formula 2 Championship in their rookie season.
  • He is the fifth driver to win the GP3 / Formula 3 Championship and the GP2/Formula 2 Championship in consecutive seasons. 
  • He also received several awards for his achievements, such as the FIA Rookie of the Year, the Anthoine Hubert Award, and the Autosport Rookie of the Year.

Piastri has proven himself as a fast, consistent, and intelligent driver who can adapt to different challenges and overcome adversity.

Oscar Piastri Achievements in his Rookie F1 Season

Oscar Piastri is one of the most impressive rookies in Formula One history. He has achieved remarkable results in his first season with McLaren, scoring points in nine out of 12 races so far, and even challenging for podiums on several occasions. Here are some of his achievements in 2023:

  • He is currently 11th in the drivers’ standings with 34 points.
  • He is the highest-placed rookie.
  • He has finished 4 races in the top ten position.
  • Top 10 finishes include 4th place at Silverstone, and 5th place in Hungary.
  • He has qualified in the top 10 seven times, with a best result of fourth in Great Britain. He has also reached Q3 in every race since the introduction of the new MCL60 upgrade package at Silverstone.
  • He was in front and running for a podium finish at the Belgium GP. Unfortunately, a safety car intervention prevented that and he ultimately was forced him to retire with a puncture.
  • He has won several awards for his performances, such as the Driver of the Day in Great Britain and Hungary, and the Rookie of the Year at the Autosport Awards. 

Oscar Piastri has shown that he is a fast, consistent, and intelligent driver who can adapt to different challenges and overcome adversity. He has also earned the respect and admiration of his peers, mentors, and fans. As he prepares for the second half of the season, he will be eager to continue his impressive form and aim for more points, podiums, and possibly even wins. He is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest racing talents and a future star of Formula One.

Oscar Piastri Car

With 2023 being his rookie year in F1 he hasn’t had the opportunity to build the wealth needed to gain a collection of high value cars. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. During an interview with his dad, he outlined the investment that was needed to fund Oscar’s motorsport career to date.

The Cost of Entry: The Investment behind Oscar Piastri’s dream

  • Remote-controlled cars ($10,000 a year for three years): $30,000
  • Karting in Australia ($50,000-$75,000 a year for four years): $200,000-$300,000
  • European karting (one year): $500,000
  • Formula Four (one year): $250,000 plus
  • Formula Renault (first year): £250,000 pounds (approximately $500,000)
  • Formula Renault (second year): €400,000 (approximately $650,000)
  • Formula 3: $1 million
  • Formula 2 (one season): Estimated cost of €1 million ($1.5 million)
  • Additional costs: Travel, transport, living expenses, school fees as a boarder for four years, family travel costs to and from Australia
  • Total: Between $5.5-$6.5 million.

Introducing the Oscar Piastri Car

Oscar’s first day at McLaren

On the status of Oscar Piastri Car – it’s not all doom and gloom for Oscar.

When he joined the McLaren F1 team the rookie was handed the keys to a red £185k Artura.

The McLaren Artura is a new hybrid supercar that combines a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor and a plug-in battery. It is the first model to use McLaren’s new Carbon Lightweight Architecture, which is lighter and stiffer than the previous one.

The Artura has a total output of 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 mph. It can also drive up to 11 miles on electric power alone, with a combined fuel economy of 50 mpg.

The Artura is praised for its sharp handling, responsive powertrain, and comfortable ride. It has a well-balanced chassis, an electronic differential, and adaptive dampers that adjust to different driving modes and road conditions.

It also has a spacious and modern cabin, with a digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and a range of driver-assist features. The Artura is designed to be a versatile and practical supercar that can be used for everyday driving as well as for track performance.

The Artura is not without its flaws. Some critics have pointed out that it lacks the visual flair and drama of other supercars, especially compared to its main rival, the Ferrari 296 GTB.

The Artura isn’t perfect!

The Artura’s styling is similar to the previous Sports Series models, such as the 570S, and does not stand out as much as the more exotic-looking Ferrari. The Artura’s V6 engine also sounds less exciting than the V8s or V12s of other supercars, and the hybrid system adds some complexity and weight to the car.

The brake pedal feel is also criticized for being too soft and inconsistent, due to the regenerative braking system.

Overview Of the McLaren Artura

Overall, the McLaren Artura is an impressive hybrid supercar that offers a great balance of performance, efficiency, and comfort.

It is a technological showcase for McLaren’s new generation of cars, and a worthy successor to the Sports Series. However, it faces stiff competition from the Ferrari 296 GTB, which has more power, more style, and more emotion.

The Artura may not be the most thrilling or distinctive supercar on the market, but it is certainly one of the most capable and refined ones.

PerformanceTime
Zero to 60 mph2.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph5.5 sec
Sero to 130 mph8.8 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph3.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph2.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph2.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile10.3 sec @ 140 mph
Top speed (manufacturers claim)205 mph
Performance Figures Courtesy of Car and Driver

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By Jonny Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jonny Noble I’m a dedicated F1 Writer – and I’ve Been One for Over Four Decades, I’ve been intimately immersed in the world of Formula One for more than 44 years. That’s longer than most professional commentators can boast! As an independent writer, I offer a unique perspective on the entire F1 landscape, free from biases that might cloud the discussion. We dive deep into the exhilarating, frustrating, and captivating facets of the F1 universe. So, regardless of my amateur status, one thing is undeniable: four decades of dedicated F1 fandom have forged strong opinions worth exploring!