Born and bred Melbourne boy burns into top gear for McLaren
After leaving home at 14 to chase a crazy Formula One racing dream, Victorian native Oscar Piastri has been signed by global giant McLaren with an eye on his hometown’s Grand Prix prize
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Born and bred in Victoria’s capital, Oscar Piastri is now flying the Australian flag on the global Formula One grid.
Leaving home as a 14-year-old to chase his racing ambitions in the UK and Europe, Piastri has realised his childhood dream aged just 21, sending the F1 world into a spin after signing with Grand Prix* giant McLaren this month.
The Melbourne native’s entry into the hugely popular F1 world was not an easy ride, not least because fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo lost his own McLaren seat to make way for the young gun widely regarded as a future star of the sport.
“Obviously it hasn’t been the smoothest of entries into the sport, but it’s great to have my future finally cemented and generally it’s been a very positive reaction,’’ Piastri said.
“It’s been nice to have the support and I’m looking forward to getting back to Melbourne next year for the Grand Prix and hopefully seeing everyone.’’
Piastri said he was determined to be the face of F1 for years to come, but was still adjusting to being a role model and carrying the hopes of his home nation on his young shoulders.
“For me the attention and that side of things is not something I’ve ever really craved,’’ he said.
“I’m there to firstly enjoy what I’m doing and secondly do the best that I can. Everything after that is almost secondary.
“My personality and the way I’ve been brought up by my family … I’m a pretty relaxed person, I would say.”
Piastri is expected to earn about $750,000 in his first year in F1 – but that figure will explode if he is successful, with McLaren teammate Lando Norris making an estimated $32 million this year.
Still, Piastri said he was determined to do things his way and forge* a long F1 career that would make Australia proud – including racing before a home crowd at Albert Park next year.
“It’s a pretty rare opportunity to have what is quite literally a home race,’’ he said.
“I grew up almost around the corner from Albert Park, probably 15 or 20 minutes away, so it’s a pretty awesome opportunity. It will be a cool experience and an exciting moment.’’
Having former Aussie F1 star Mark Webber in his corner when deciding to sign with McLaren helped, he said.
Webber said Piastri had “a level of composure*’’ well beyond his years and was “just a down to earth, good young kid having a red hot crack”.
“He’s going to fly the flag well for us,’’ Webber said. “Everyone that has worked with Oscar has seen something pretty unique and special. But we’re mindful* Formula One is a different beast.’’
Piastri said his first focus was to “try and enjoy it, because it’s a pretty cool job to have.’’
“To have my debut in F1 confirmed now and sorted, it’s given me a bit of time to think about the journey,’’ he said.
“It’s very much the start of the new journey and the one that I’ve worked so hard for already. So it’s been nice to look back on how I got here, the success I’ve had along the way and the sacrifices*, but I’m very much looking forward to focusing on what is to come.’’
No Aussie has ever stood on top of the Albert Park podium, presenting Piastri with a tantalising* challenge already in his sights.
“I will be trying my best,’’ he said. “I think Melbourne is going to be my third Grand Prix, so if I could be doing it by then I think I will be doing a pretty reasonable job. We will see how it goes.’’
GLOSSARY
- Grand Prix: one of a series of races for very fast and powerful racing cars
- forge: make or produce something over time, particularly with some difficulty
- composure: being calm and not showing an excess of emotion
- mindful: aware, keeping something top of mind
- sacrifices: giving up important things for the sake of something else
- tantalising: something appealing, exciting, tempting
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QUICK QUIZ
- How old was Oscar Piastri when he left home to pursue his F1 dream?
- Which powerhouse racing team did he sign with earlier this month?
- Which fellow Aussie driver did Piastri replace?
- How much is Piastri expected to earn in his first year in F1?
- How many Australian drivers have claimed the Australian Grand Prix?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Finish the interview
Imagine that you are a Kids News reporter and you want to know more about Oscar and his life as an F1 driver. Write three more questions that you would like to ask Oscar. For each question write the answers that you think that he would give.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Health and Physical Education
2. Extension
“Nobody should be paid over $30 million just for driving a car!” Do you agree with this statement? Write a paragraph explaining your opinion. Use information in the story and your research skills to find out more about Formula One driving.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Health and Physical Education; Personal and Social Capability
VCOP ACTIVITY
What happens next?
Imagine this story is part of an animated series made up of three cartoons. The three cartoons tell the complete story and this article is only Part 1. Think about what the rest of the story could be and draw the next two cartoons that tell the story.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Visual Arts; Visual Communication Design; Critical and Creative Thinking