McLaren’s Brazilian connection not lost on Piastri

Australia’s Oscar Piastri has penned in his latest exclusive column in AUTO ACTION why racing a McLaren in Brazil will be extra special.

Piastri has been writing his own feature in the pages of AUTO ACTION since his Formula Renault days in 2019.

Fast forward to 2023, the Aussie is approaching the finish line of his rookie season that has flown by in the “blink of an eye”.

This weekend Piastri will be racing for McLaren at the famous Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace and he understands the extra significance of this weekend.

Three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was loved all over the world, but he was adored in his home country Brazil.

Read Piastri’s full exclusive column in AUTO ACTION’s latest issue #1873, out now in its digital form downloadable right here,

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60 during Q1 at the Mexico City GP. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images.

Senna twice won on home turf and both of those successes in 1991 and 1993 arrived in McLaren colours.

The first in 1991 is the stuff of folklore as he overcame gearing issues, rain and severe shoulder pain to finally get an emotional maiden win on home turf.

Senna was in so much pain he needed to be helped from the cockpit, but made sure he could lift the trophy in front of his adoring fans.

Ahead of his first race at Interlagos, modern day McLaren star Piastri is aware of this significance and is looking forward to taking on the historic circuit in papaya.

Ayrton Senna, celebrating victory at the
Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos 1991. Image: LAT Photographic

“The significance and honour of driving a McLaren in Brazil, given its association with the great Ayrton Senna, is not lost on me and it will be particularly special to represent the team in his home country,” Piastri wrote in his exclusive AUTO ACTION column.

“What he achieved and how he raced, and more generally what type of person he was from talking to journalists in the paddock who dealt with him, was remarkable and an inspiration.

“I’ve never raced at Interlagos although I must have watched it countless times on TV growing up. Every corner seems like it’s had a historic battle or championship-defining moment take place there.

“If there are a few moments that stick out, they are probably watching the highlights of Mark winning around Sao Paulo back in 2009 and again in 2011.

Mark Webber steers the RB7 to victory at the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix. Photo: Motorsport Images

“I also remember his last race there in 2013 when he took his helmet off on the slow down lap.”

Read Piastri’s full exclusive column in AUTO ACTION’s latest issue #1873, out now in its digital form downloadable right here, and available in all good newsagents and stockists near you on Thursday, continuing on as Australia’s most trusted independent voice in motorsport.

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