Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Oscar Piastri

Discover the career path of Oscar Piastri, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Oscar Piastri is an Australian racing driver currently competing in Formula One for McLaren. He has secured seven Grand Prix wins over the course of three seasons. Piastri's career highlights his success in motorsport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1998: McLaren wins World Constructors' Championship

In 1998, McLaren last won the World Constructors' Championship before Piastri helped them win again in 2024.

2010: Piastri becomes the first Australian to lead the World Drivers' Championship since 2010

In 2025, Piastri became the first Australian to lead the World Drivers' Championship since 2010 after winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

2011: Moved into kart racing

In 2011, Oscar Piastri transitioned to kart racing at the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club (OGKRC) in Clayton South, at the age of 10.

2013: CIK Stars of Karting Title

In 2013, Oscar Piastri won his first title: the CIK Stars of Karting in the Rookies class.

2014: Multiple Championships

In 2014, Oscar Piastri won the OGKRC Championship, City of Melbourne Titles, South Australian Championship, and National Sprint Classic Champion of Champions in Junior Clubman.

2015: Move to Europe

From 2015, Oscar Piastri moved to compete in Europe with Kosmic, marking a transcontinental shift in his racing career.

2015: Continued Karting Successes

In 2015, Oscar Piastri closed his national karting career with third in the KF3 Australian Championship and victory in the Victorian Championship, OGKRC's Junior Top Guns, the Gold Coast Race of Stars, and the City of Melbourne Titles again.

2015: Move to Hertford, England

In 2015, Oscar Piastri, aged 14, moved with his father to Hertford, England, to continue his international racing career in Europe, and began travelling for karting tests and competitions at a significant cost.

2016: Graduation to Junior Formulae

In 2016, Oscar Piastri graduated to junior formulae in his racing career.

2016: Return to Australia and European Karting

In 2016, Oscar Piastri returned to Australia to claim his third successive City of Melbourne Titles. He also joined Ricky Flynn Motorsport in Europe, where he achieved multiple top finishes in various competitions, and qualified fourth for the World Championship at Sakhir.

2017: Lance Stroll achieves podium as a rookie

In 2017, Lance Stroll achieved a podium finish, being the last rookie before Piastri to do so.

2017: F4 British Championship

In 2017, Oscar Piastri competed in the F4 British Championship with Arden, achieving multiple podium finishes and victories, ultimately securing the runner-up spot to Jamie Caroline with 376.5 points.

December 2018: GP3 Series Post-Season Test & R-ace GP Switch

In December 2018, Oscar Piastri participated in the GP3 Series post-season test at Yas Marina with Trident, and it was announced that he would switch to reigning team champions R-ace GP for the 2019 championship.

December 2018: GP3 Series Post-Season Test

In December 2018, Oscar Piastri participated in the GP3 Series post-season test at Yas Marina with Trident.

October 2019: FIA Formula 3 Post-Season Test

In October 2019, Oscar Piastri joined the post-season test with reigning FIA Formula 3 team champions Prema Racing.

2019: Formula Renault Eurocup Champion

In 2019, Oscar Piastri claimed his first victory in the series at Silverstone, later winning at Spa-Francorchamps. He secured the Formula Renault Eurocup championship after a win and fourth place at the final round at Yas Marina.

2019: Under Mark Webber's Wing

In 2019, Oscar Piastri was taken under the wing of Mark Webber and his wife, Ann, who has served as his manager since and negotiated his move to Formula One.

January 2020: Joined Renault Sport Academy

In January 2020, Oscar Piastri joined the Renault Sport Academy after winning the Formula Renault Eurocup.

January 2020: Signed with Prema Racing

In January 2020, Oscar Piastri signed with Prema Racing to compete in the upcoming FIA Formula 3 season.

2020: Joined Alpine Academy

In 2020, Oscar Piastri became a member of the Alpine Academy.

2020: Post-Season Test at Sakhir

In 2020, Oscar Piastri debuted in Formula Two machinery during the three-day post-season test at Sakhir.

2020: FIA Formula 3 Championship

In 2020, Oscar Piastri secured the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema.

2021: FIA Formula 2 Campaign and Championship Win

In 2021, Oscar Piastri competed in FIA Formula 2 with Prema, achieving multiple victories and podiums, securing the championship with 252.5 points, becoming the sixth driver to win the GP2/F2 title in his rookie season.

2021: Retained Place at Alpine Academy

In 2021, Oscar Piastri retained his place at the re-branded Alpine Academy, testing the A521 and R.S.18.

2021: FIA Formula 2 Championship

In 2021, Oscar Piastri won the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Prema, marking his rookie season victory and making him the only driver to win Formula Renault, Formula Three, and Formula Two championships in successive seasons.

June 2022: Offered Seat with Williams

In June 2022, Oscar Piastri was offered a seat with Williams for 2023 on a two-year loan from Alpine, who were expected to retain Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso.

2022: Left Alpine Academy

In 2022, Oscar Piastri concluded his membership with the Alpine Academy.

2022: Reserve Driver for Alpine and McLaren

In 2022, Oscar Piastri was appointed the reserve driver of Alpine and was made available in the same role for McLaren, completing private tests in the A521 and MCL35M throughout the season.

2023: Rejection of Alpine and Move to McLaren

In 2023, Following Alonso's announcement to replace Vettel at Aston Martin, Alpine announced that Piastri would be his replacement, but Piastri rejected the announcement via Twitter, stating that he had not signed a contract and would not be driving for them in 2023, soon emerging in talks with McLaren.

2023: Piastri debuts with McLaren and secures first podium

In 2023, Oscar Piastri debuted with McLaren, replacing Daniel Ricciardo alongside Lando Norris. He faced initial challenges with the MCL60 but achieved his maiden points finish at the Australian Grand Prix. He later secured his first podium at the Japanese Grand Prix and claimed his maiden sprint victory at the Qatar Grand Prix. Piastri finished ninth in the World Drivers' Championship with 97 points.

2023: Piastri denies signing with Alpine for 2023

In 2023, Oscar Piastri publicly refuted Alpine's announcement that he would be driving for them, stating he had not signed a contract and would not be driving for Alpine in 2023.

2023: Signed with McLaren and Formula One Debut

In 2023, Oscar Piastri signed with McLaren and made his Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, achieving his first career podium in his rookie season at the Japanese Grand Prix.

2023: FIA CRB ruled Piastri was a free agent

In 2023, the FIA Contract Recognition Board (CRB) ruled against Alpine, determining Piastri was a free agent, allowing him to join McLaren. This followed a hearing to determine whether Piastri was contracted to Alpine, which could have obligated him to fulfil the contract or required McLaren to activate a release clause.

2024: Piastri secures maiden F1 victory and helps McLaren secure World Constructors' Championship

In 2024, Oscar Piastri achieved his maiden Formula One victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix and won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, becoming the fifth Australian to win an F1 Grand Prix. He contributed to McLaren winning their first World Constructors' Championship since 1998, finishing fourth in the World Drivers' Championship with 292 points.

2024: Maiden Formula One Victory

In 2024, Oscar Piastri secured his maiden Formula One victory in Hungary, becoming the fifth Australian driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix, and repeated this feat in Azerbaijan.

2024: Piastri's race pace development is noted, with maiden victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan

Throughout 2024, Oscar Piastri was lauded for his adaptability and his race pace development, taking maiden victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan. Luke Smith of The New York Times described his Azerbaijan win as a "coming-of-age drive".

2025: Achievements as of 2025 Belgian Grand Prix

As of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri has achieved eight race wins, four pole positions, seven fastest laps, and 21 podiums in Formula One.

2025: Piastri's tyre management and qualifying pace issues are eradicated

By 2025, several critics opined that Oscar Piastri had eradicated the tyre management and qualifying pace issues he experienced in earlier seasons, working closely with his engineers to solve the former.

2025: Further Victories and Maiden Pole Position

In 2025, Oscar Piastri achieved six further victories and his maiden pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix, entering a title battle with Lando Norris.

2025: Piastri extends contract with McLaren and earns first win of the season

In 2025, Piastri was expected to challenge his teammate Lando Norris for the World Driver's Championship. Prior to the season, McLaren announced a multi-year contract extension for Piastri until 2028. He secured his first victory of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix.