Janice R. Andrews
Oscar Piastri: Growth in F1 Tyre Management
Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s promising Formula 1 talent, says his tyre management skills have significantly improved since his rookie season in 2023, though he acknowledges there’s still room for growth. The Australian driver credits the challenges of his debut year for laying the foundation for his current progress.
In his first season, Piastri faced scrutiny for struggling to manage Pirelli tyres over race distances, often losing pace compared to teammate Lando Norris. However, through valuable experience and consistent effort, he has shown marked improvement, narrowing the performance gap in 2024.
Despite the progress, Norris retains a slight advantage in race pace. Piastri admits that his journey to fully mastering tyre management is ongoing.
“I wouldn’t say it’s ‘mastered,’ but it’s definitely much better,” Piastri shared in an interview with Autosport. “There were still two or three races this year where it was challenging, though not as much as last year. Overall, it’s been a night-and-day difference.”
Learning Through Experience
Piastri highlighted the importance of race-day learning in improving tyre management. He explained that practice sessions don’t offer the same insights due to their short stint lengths, making it harder to replicate race conditions.
“It’s tough to work on this in practice because the runs are nowhere near race distance,” Piastri noted. “Some techniques can be tested, but the real answers only come during races.”
This trial-and-error approach, while necessary, has been demanding. Mistakes during races can’t simply be undone, making the learning process unforgiving. “If you get it wrong, that’s the race result. It can be frustrating, but it’s a vital part of learning,” Piastri said.
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
Reflecting on his rookie season, Piastri expressed gratitude for the tough lessons it brought. “I’m glad I faced those challenges early. It gave me a strong foundation to build on,” he said.
He also credited the team environment at McLaren for fostering his development, highlighting how the close competition with Norris has motivated him to keep improving.
Looking Toward Next Season
As Piastri approaches his third Formula 1 season, he is committed to further refining his tyre management skills and overall race craft. His dedication to improvement and resilience under pressure signal a bright future for McLaren’s rising star.
The lessons Piastri has absorbed over two seasons have prepared him to tackle the challenges ahead, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting next chapter in his F1 career.
