F1 world champion admits he’s been so impressed by 22-year-old F1 driver this year

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti has admitted that he’s been seriously impressed by McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri in 2023.

Andretti was speaking to journalist Tom Clarkson on the Beyond The Grid Podcast.

There was plenty of change on the grid going into this season, with the three rookies of particular interest to fans as they are every year.

AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries lasted just 10 races before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.

His incredible cameo in Monza last year showcased his promise but he was too inconsistent for Red Bull’s sister team.

Logan Sargeant has been outclassed by teammate Alex Albon at Williams but this should come as no surprise given the gulf in their experience.

The American is the only driver on the grid who hasn’t had his future confirmed for next year.

In stark contrast, Oscar Piastri has shown in 2023 why McLaren were so keen to poach him from Alpine and Mario Andretti has singled the 22-year-old out for praise.

He’s joined Eddie Jordan in suggesting that the young Australian can go a long way in F1.

McLaren have produced a brilliant car in the second half of this season and Piastri has shown just how quick he is by winning the Sprint Race in Qatar.

Andretti rates Piastri’s rookie F1 season in 2023

Speaking about the 22-year-old, Piastri said: “I mean look at McLaren all of a sudden. Who would have thought that [Oscar] Piastri as a rookie all of a sudden, that’s the beauty of it.

“Yes, absolutely I am [excited by Piastri] because you could see under really pressing, trying circumstances he looked good.”

Andretti isn’t the only person in F1 who is excited to see what Piastri can produce after his debut season in 2023.

There’s a reason that even though he only joined McLaren last year, they’ve already tied him down to a longer contract.

The improvement McLaren have shown over the past few months suggests they should be challenging Red Bull for podiums and race wins going into next year.

That will be easier said than done and the Austrian manufacturer almost certainly have a much faster car ready and waiting for next season.

In Piastri and Norris, McLaren arguably have the most future-proof pairing on the grid and that should stand them in good stead for years to come.