Oscar Piastri, the young McLaren driver, expressed flattery regarding comparisons to four-time World Champion Alain Prost, while also highlighting key differences primarily due to the distinct eras of Formula 1.
Why it matters:
Prost, a McLaren legend, sees similarities in Piastri's pragmatic and intelligent racing style, a significant endorsement for the young Australian who is currently battling for the World Championship alongside teammate Lando Norris.
The context:
Alain Prost, known for his balance of speed and strategic race management focused on championship points, noted Piastri's approach. He even claimed to have encouraged Renault to sign Piastri to their junior program before his high-profile move to McLaren in 2023. Prost specifically admired Piastri's ability to "think about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever."
Piastri's perspective:
While calling the comparison "very cool," Piastri acknowledged the stylistic similarities in how they approach racing, stating it's "probably pretty similar." However, he emphasized that direct comparisons are challenging due to past reliability issues which were more prevalent in Prost's era, often being "driver-induced."
- Key Differences: Reliability concerns were far greater in Prost's time. Finishing races consistently was a larger challenge.
- Shared Mentality: Despite technical differences, the core mindset of consistency and avoiding unnecessary risks remains the same. Piastri noted, "If you don't finish the race, it's potentially 18 or 25 points you lose – so you do still have to make sure you finish the races, be consistent and not take unnecessary risks." This pragmatic approach, ensuring points rather than risking DNFs, is a common thread.
The big picture:
Piastri currently holds a nine-point lead over Norris in the Drivers' Championship as Formula 1 enters the summer break, with 10 races remaining in the 2025 season. His consistent and strategic approach could prove crucial in the tight championship battle.