Guenther Steiner identifies ‘the key’ behind Oscar Piastri exceeding expectations in F1

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Guenther Steiner has identified ‘the key’ person behind Oscar Piastri exceeding early expectations in Formula 1 with the McLaren ace ‘so complete’ despite his young age.

The Australian is just 40 rounds into his Formula 1 career, yet Piastri is already a Sprint and a Grand Prix winner. He is even the most in-form driver on the grid through the last 11 rounds with the Melbourne native recording 184 points, ahead of teammate Lando Norris with 178.

Securing Piastri’s maiden Grand Prix win at the Hungarian Grand Prix and also taking the win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix largely helped towards his run of form. The 23-year-old will also soon return to the stage of his first F1 Sprint win as a rookie in 2023 at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Guenther Steiner believes Mark Webber is ‘the key’ behind Oscar Piastri’s success in F1

Piastri rose into F1 with a trophy-laden CV after lifting the Formula Renault Eurocup title, the Formula 3 title and the Formula 2 title back-to-back-to-back from 2019 to 2021. Yet his path to F1 was delayed as Alpine did not have a drive for Piastri as a part of their driver academy.

McLaren then poached Piastri to replace his Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo from the 2023 Formula 1 season. The Woking natives’ raid on Alpine has certainly paid off with Piastri often proving he is a match for Norris, like with a first lap pass at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix.

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Former Haas team principal Steiner also thinks Piastri has exceeded expectations in F1 as he rarely makes a mistake. The ‘key’ behind his success is also that Mark Webber has served as Piastri’s manager since 2019, giving lots of advice after a 217-Grand Prix career in Formula 1.

Steiner told RacingNews365: “Mark, for me, is the key with Oscar. I’ve told that to Mark and not to be nice to him, but Oscar believes in Mark, and Mark has been through everything. Oscar does not make mistakes like a rookie does, not just on the race track but in general.

“Oscar is so complete for his age, and I am not putting that solely down to Mark because Oscar, for sure, is a great talent and is a good guy but Mark has helped so much.”

Mark Webber was key behind Oscar Piastri quitting Alpine for McLaren

Piastri’s dad, Chris, approached Webber to join his management team in 2019 whilst fighting for the Formula Renault Eurocup title. It has proven to be a hugely beneficial decision for his son’s career as Webber was also a pivotal figure in Piastri leaving Alpine to sign for McLaren.

Their relationship further offers Piastri a vast source of knowledge as Webber raced in F1 for Minardi, Jaguar, Williams and Red Bull between 2002 and 2013. He further took nine Grand Prix wins, 13 pole positions and 42 podiums, along with fighting for the drivers’ title in 2010.

After leaving Red Bull and F1, Webber also went on to enjoy lavish success competing in the World Endurance Championship with Porsche. Through his three years in WEC, Webber took eight race wins and secured the 2015 drivers’ title with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley.