Oscar Piastri shares first impressions after Supercars test drive

summary: McLaren F1 rookie Oscar Piastri test‑drove a Gen3 Mustang, noting far less grip, downforce and power than an F1 car. He says a Bathurst co‑drive is unlikely while he focuses on his F1 schedule.

content:

McLaren’s 2024 rookie Oscar Piastri hopped into a Gen3 Mustang for a short Supercars test on Tuesday, part of a Monster Energy‑backed promotional event. The locked‑down run let the F1 star feel a roof‑ed, touring‑car platform for the first time.

Why it matters:

Piastri’s remarks illustrate how steep the learning curve is when moving from a downforce‑rich, 1000‑hp F1 car to a production‑based Supercar with roughly 650 hp. The crossover also reinforces Monster Energy’s cross‑sport branding and fuels fan curiosity about whether F1 talent might dip into Australia’s premier touring‑car series.

The details:

• The test was conducted under a strict lockdown; Monster Energy will release video footage later.
• Piastri noted the Mustang’s grip, downforce and power are far lower than an F1 car.
• He appreciated being able to hit kerbs without fearing severe injury or car damage.
• He confirmed his focus remains on F1 and a Bathurst co‑drive isn’t on the agenda now.
• He left the door open to consider a Supercars stint after retiring from F1.

What's next:

The promotional video is slated for release by Monster Energy later this month, giving fans a visual of Piastri’s reaction. Meanwhile, the Australian Supercars series will keep an eye on the young driver, while Piastri returns to McLaren’s F1 campaign with the season in full swing.