Oscar Piastri admits McLaren F1 driver prefers to be ‘wrong’ for long-term goals

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Oscar Piastri has now admitted that the McLaren driver would prefer to be ‘wrong’ in individual Formula 1 races if it can ensure the Australian can achieve long-term goals.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a standout rookie season in the pinnacle of motorsport last year for McLaren. He left a reserve driver role at Alpine to join the Woking team for the 2023 season, with Piastri replacing compatriot Daniel Ricciardo. It proved to be the perfect move for both.

Piastri paired well driving beside Lando Norris in 2023 despite sitting out the 2022 season as Alpine’s reserve. The Melbourne native failed to secure a race seat after winning the Formula 2 title in 2021. He was also a back-to-back champion, having taken the 2020 Formula 3 title.

Oscar Piastri enjoyed a superb rookie F1 season with McLaren

Life as an F1 driver was steady at first for Piastri before McLaren handed the Australian their first set of major upgrades at the British GP. He used them to great effect to claim a P4 finish from P3 on the grid. Only a late safety car period denied Piastri a likely podium in third, too.

A debut rostrum would arrive in P3 at the Japanese GP, though, before Piastri also finished second in Qatar. In doing so, he became the first rookie to finish on the F1 podium twice in their first season since Lewis Hamilton in 2007. Piastri even won the Sprint at the Qatar GP.

Piastri further showed his potential with a P2 finish during the Sprint at the Belgian GP from second place on the grid. He also briefly led the Sprint at Spa-Francorchamps after excelling despite the heavy rain. McLaren also saw Piastri retire from just three Grand Prix over 2023.

The rookie wonder retired on his Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain GP after just 15 laps due to an electrical issue. While Piastri bowed out of the Belgian GP after an incident at Turn 1 with Carlos Sainz. He also retired from the United States GP after an incident with Esteban Ocon.

Oscar Piastri would rather be ‘wrong’ than retire from Grand Prix

Piastri’s incidents with Sainz and Ocon were both 50-50 collisions that cost the McLaren ace his race. The Australian also prides himself on keeping it clean on the track and accepts he is not the most aggressive driver. But he would rather be cautious than retire from Grand Prix.

“I don’t think I’m overly harsh or aggressive or anything like that,” the Australian outlined to Motorsport.com. “In my junior career, a big element of my championships was from staying out of trouble and being consistent. 

“I think there’s definitely a good saying in that it’s sometimes more important to finish the race and be wrong in a situation than be right about something and be out of the race. So, that’s kind of always an element I’ve tried to keep. But I just tried to race hard but fair.”