Piastri F1 column: Looking at all the positives

Piastri’s F1 column as published in Auto Action magazine issue 1861 on sale May 14 2023.

The first of two triple-headers on the 2023 F1 calendar is upon us and I am really looking forward to the Imola-Monaco-Barcelona swing. 

It’s going to be a very busy period with lots going on and I’m excited by the opportunity to drive at old-school tracks with such history and heritage.

I’ve competed at Monaco and Barcelona before in the junior categories but haven’t had the chance to race at Imola, which will be a new one for me.

Driving a current F1 car around the streets of Monte Carlo or the Circuit de Catalunya will be a totally different ball game to what I’ve driven at those venues previously, so, all round, it’s going to be three weeks packed full of learning.

Oscar Piastri during the Miami GP. Photo by Jake Grant / LAT Images

As a boy growing up, I used to watch a lot of the grands prix on repeat the next day and can always remember the iconic sight of F1 cars tackling corners like Rascasse and Tabac.

I remember watching races like Jenson Button winning around the Principality in 2009 with Brawn and Lewis’ win in the McLaren there the year before, so these classic races are some of the events which hold that special prestige and meaning.

Off the back of the Baku-Miami double-header, three grands prix on successive weekends takes it up another notch and it will be really important to get into a good rhythm with the races coming so thick and fast.

When the races are back-to-back, it obviously condenses the scheduling, making rest and recuperation really crucial and meaning that all our processes need to be super time-efficient as things are moving so rapidly.

It’s always a quick turnaround but I just love being at a racetrack and the buzz and adrenaline that I get now is no different to when I was back racing remote control cars or taking my first steps on the karting ladder.

Since my last column, that I wrote after the Melbourne GP, it was a strange weekend over in Azerbaijan where illness troubled me throughout all of the sessions and resulted in the team doctor getting to know me very well.

Oscar Piastri in the hot seat. Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images

It was also a frustrating event over in Miami a week later where I suffered brake system issues very early in the race. They meant there was very little I could do.

Despite those problems, I was happy to reach Q3 in Baku for the second time this season and my start in Miami was also pretty pleasing as I managed to take five places on the opening lap to go from P19 to P14.

In honesty, we thought it was going to be a tough weekend in Miami and so it proved, as we just lacked that all-around pace to challenge and get in amongst the fight.

There are such small margins between most of the teams, excluding those at the very front, that if you are lacking a bit of speed, it can turn into a tough few days.

After Miami, I spent some time at MTC doing some extra training and practicing on the simulator and it was nice to have a calm, chilled-out weekend to relax before things get back in full swing.

Between races, I usually keep things simple and go for a few walks, watch some films and TV and enjoy sim racing on my computer.

It’s also a time to catch up with the boring chores like tidying up as I must admit that I do have a bad habit of leaving my suitcase flung open on the bedroom floor when I’m dashing from one place to the next …

Fingers crossed for a positive few weeks and I’ll be back with my next column in the build-up to Canada. Take care.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE

Latest podcast: When Ford wins, you win!

Have we finally reached parity in Supercars with two Ford wins on one weekend, or was it just the nature of the track? It’s a no-holds-barred discussion with Auto Action’s Andrew Clarke, Bruce Williams and Paul Gover. #Supercars #F1 #AutoAction

Listen to our latest podcast episode here or on your podcast app of choice.