Bernie Collins shares what’s ‘frustrating’ about Oscar Piastri after Azerbaijan Grand Prix win

Follow us on Google Discover

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri can now add his name to the list of Formula 1 drivers who have won multiple Grand Prix in their career.

It always seemed very unlikely that Oscar Piastri would be a one-hit wonder in a similar vein to the likes of Pastor Maldonado, Heikki Kovalainen or Olivier Panis.

However, the speed with which Piastri has put himself amongst the very fastest drivers on the grid is incredible.

With each passing race, McLaren will be more and more delighted with their decision to poach Piastri from Alpine’s academy before the French team had the chance to offer him a Formula 1 race seat.

The young Australian was under immense pressure as soon as he pulled off a masterful overtake on Charles Leclerc.

It took a long time for him to break the tow after passing Leclerc, but once he did, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Bernie Collins was covering the race for Sky Sports F1 and reflected on Piastri’s phenomenal performance.

However, Collins admits that she’s been left slightly frustrated by the 23-year-old’s calmness and lack of emotion, even at the most exciting moments.

It’s a very positive sign from the Australian that if he can keep calm under pressure, then it should set him up well for when he’s potentially fighting for championships in the future.

Bernie Collins admits Oscar Piastri’s lack of emotion can be ‘frustrating’

Analysing Piastri’s demeanour, Collins said: “Every time we talk to him in interviews recently, he’s very under control.

“We don’t see a lot of emotion from him, which at times we feel is frustrating, we’d love to see more passion from him.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

“That’s there underneath, and he is doing everything in a very ordered way, and he has caused a headache that McLaren were not expecting so soon.

“We’ve spent all the run-up to this weekend talking about can [Lando] Norris do it, team orders and Piastri has once again shown that had it not been for a few races at the start of the year, that would be his battle and it will be going forward.”

Oscar Piastri denied ‘vital’ information during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

McLaren haven’t always got their strategy calls right throughout the 2024 F1 season.

They missed out on a victory with both drivers at Silverstone and had to convince Norris to pull over at the Hungarian Grand Prix to allow Piastri to secure his first Grand Prix victory.

However, Piastri pitted just in time – with the help of Norris holding up Sergio Perez – to remain just behind Leclerc.

Piastri’s race engineer has admitted withholding some information from Piastri while he was trying to concentrate on the battle he was up against with Leclerc.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

McLaren will know that they have the perfect opportunity to win the Constructors’ Championship this season and have finally taken the lead from Red Bull.

However, McLaren may also be wondering if they face a future problem with Norris and Piastri both having title aspirations.

The Australian started the season slightly too slowly to be in contention, but in 2025, McLaren will know that if they have the fastest car, neither driver is going to relent to help the other win the title.

Piastri’s coolness and ability to stay calm under pressure may give him the upper hand over Norris who has been criticised for being too harsh on himself at times.