Oscar Piastri to test Gen3 Supercar ahead of home Grand Prix

McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri is set to get behind the wheel of a Gen3 Supercar, driving a Tickford Racing Ford Mustang in a private test at Calder Park. The session, scheduled for Tuesday, serves as a promotional event for shared sponsor Monster Energy ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, continuing a trend of sponsor-driven crossovers between racing disciplines.

Why it matters:

For a rising star like Piastri, driving a powerful Supercar on home soil is a significant moment that connects him with a different segment of motorsport fans in Australia. These sponsor-driven crossovers are becoming a key marketing tool, leveraging driver star power to promote brands across multiple racing platforms and generate local excitement before major events like the home Grand Prix.

The details:

• The test will see Piastri drive the #6 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang normally piloted by Cam Waters.
• It will be a closed-door, private session held at Calder Park in Melbourne.
• The event is orchestrated by Monster Energy, which sponsors both the Tickford Supercars team and the McLaren Formula 1 team.
• This follows a similar crossover earlier this year, where reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen drove a Red Bull-branded Gen3 Mustang for a Ford promotional shoot.

What's next:

The test serves as a high-profile build-up to the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park. For Piastri, it’s a unique opportunity to sample a different breed of racing car in a low-pressure environment while engaging with the local fanbase. The success of such integrations suggests sponsor-facilitated crossovers between F1 drivers and other racing series will likely continue as an effective promotional strategy.