MELBOURNE, Australia – They may both hail from Australia and share Italian heritage, but that doesn’t mean Oscar Piastri is knocking Daniel Ricciardo out for racing insights from the Formula Race winner One eight times.
In fact, Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion and current Alpine reserve driver, says he only talks to Ricciardo “as we pass the stages” and rarely seeks any words. Any racing advice from his famous countryman, as the young Melburnian racer looks to carve his own path in the sport.
“We’re fine and we talk a little bit [but] He’s been extremely busy, especially this weekend, and is focusing on his own career,” Piastri told ESPN, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. I didn’t expect him to give me advice or anything like that.
“Of course, I want to be friends and have a good relationship with him, but this is motorsport. We are from the same country, but everyone here in F1 is trying to beat. That’s the beauty of motorsport, you’re all friends off the track, or most of us friends off the track, but once the helmet continues to have the old saying , you won’t have friends. “
That’s not to say the couple doesn’t have a healthy relationship. Last month, Ricciardo said he would be “very welcome” to replace him at McLaren, if he did not. overcome COVID-19 and be healthy enough to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix opening the season.
Piastri also told ESPN that Ricciardo is “a great personality for F1 and the way he stands in front of the camera is exactly the way he leaves the camera.”
This weekend, Piastri found herself in a position to experience the Australian Grand Prix at home without ever driving on the track. As Alpine’s reserve driver, he is on standby should one of the team’s full-time drivers, Fernando Alonso or Esteban Ocon, fail to compete.
But rather than succumb to jealousy, Piastri, who celebrated her 21st birthday earlier in the week, looks at the weekend from a different angle. He is stirring up the electric atmosphere at Albert Park, on a weekend that F1 is expected to draw 410,000 spectators and break the all-time record for attendance at an Australian sporting event.
“Of course, as a racer I would love to be in the race, but there are definitely aspects [of 2022] Piastri told ESPN it would be beneficial to not drive. “This weekend is a perfect example, I experienced my first race at home without the pressure of going out to perform and drive. In a way it’s pretty cool, get used to it and know what to expect.
“I got off the plane on Sunday night and there were people waiting there asking for autographs and taking pictures that I hadn’t really had before. Walking through Melbourne Walk was pretty special. I’ve signed autographs and stuff before. This is not the case and the crazy part is that I’m a reserve driver, I’m not even a full-time driver yet, so to have that reception was really, really special.
“I think I can handle more driving now but I knew when I signed as a reserve driver that this would be the deal for the year.”
Many expect Piastri, who in the past three years has won titles in Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula 3 and Formula 2, to get a seat in Formula 1 in 2023. But until the contract is awarded. signing, he’s looking to learn and make sure he’s best prepared. until his chance comes.
“In terms of race results, now that I’ve got them in the group and won the championship, so there’s not really much to add on that front. Now I’m going to try and integrate into the team as much as possible. can and find out what stuff is specific to F1, whether it’s driving and with cars or even just media activities and all sorts of things outside of driving,” he said.
“I don’t think taking a year off will add motivation to come back. I’m certainly not the first person to sideline a year as a substitute, so I don’t feel like I’ve ever had it completely difficult. If I get to F1, hopefully, I’ll be completely focused on trying to do the best I can every weekend There’s no good way to prove why you should go there last year because because you don’t gain anything from it. It’s just a bad thought to fall into.”
