Damon Hill and Anthony Davidson rave about ‘phenomenal’ F1 driver at ‘massive disadvantage’ this year

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Damon Hill and Anthony Davidson have admitted they’ve been seriously impressed with McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri this season.

The pair were commentating on Sky Sports F1 during the final free practice session of the 2023 campaign.

It’s been a year of ups and downs for McLaren after a dreadful start to the year.

They didn’t get the car right until Austria but since then they’ve been challenging the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari at the front of the grid.

Lando Norris has secured seven podium finishes since the British Grand Prix, only Max Verstappen has finished in the top three more during that time.

The Brit has been under pressure from his teammate throughout the year and Oscar Piastri has beaten his more experienced teammate to one accolade in F1.

Piastri won the Sprint Race in Qatar, a feat Norris is yet to achieve after more than 100 races.

Hill and Davidson shared that they thought Piastri has had an exceptional first season in Formula 1.

It’s no wonder McLaren have already tied him down to a longer contract.

Hill and Davidson hail amazing Piastri season

Taking about the sensational 22-year-old, Davidson said: “[Oscar] Piastri, he’s one of those drivers, a rookie as well, he’s had a phenomenal season, really taken the fight to Lando Norris, very close in qualifying between the two of them always.

Damon Hill agreed and added: “He’s done fantastically well to cope with all those [new tracks]. You are at a massive disadvantage if you’ve never been to track against let’s say your teammate who has been there before.”

Piastri once again showed his fantastic potential in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

His teammate was on pace to challenge Max Verstappen for pole position, but a mistake in the final section cost him and he’ll start fifth.

The young Australian on the other hand kept his cool and although his raw pace doesn’t quite match Norris’s right now, he’ll start ahead of the Brit today.

Out of the three rookies that started the 2023 season, one has already lost his seat and the other is under serious pressure.

Piastri was in the fastest car out of the trio but has taken full advantage and looks set to have a long career in Formula 1 at this point.