Oscar Piastri is undoubtedly the best driver in Formula 1 this year. His calmness and relaxed demeanor in the face of incredible pressure have led many in the sport to compare him to one of the best to ever grace the sport, Michael Schumacher. The comparison comes following Piastri’s win at the Dutch Grand Prix. Piastri has been on a tear this season and has outpaced all potential challengers to his title run. That includes his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, whom he just beat to P1 in qualifying. The comparison led Piastri to let out a rare smile and make a statement.
Oscar Piastri honored by Michael Schumacher comparison
The Dutch Grand Prix was a dramatic as we have come to expect. The narrow track is not ideal for overtaking maneuvers, but that did not stop Red Bull’s Max Verstappen from getting a great start off the line. Piastri, on the other hand, led the race from start to finish. After the race, he attended the press conference where the comparison was made. He smiled and proceeded to honor the great German driver.
“Anytime you get mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Schumacher, that’s a good thing. I’ve got a hell of a long way to go to be talked about in the same air as someone like him, but I’ll take it.” – McLaren driver Oscar Piastri
The comparison comes from Piastri’s calm demeanor and relaxed attitude towards Formula 1 overall, much like the iconic German driver. Piastri still has a very long way to go before that comparison carries any weight to it, but he is close to say the least. His win in the Netherlands is his seventh of the season and extends his lead atop the drivers’ standings.
The McLarens are proving to be a challenge to contend with this year
When the season began, most people in the Formula 1 world were expecting more of the same this year. Max Verstappen defending his title while the rest of the chasing pack duke it out for the remainder of the points. How wrong we all were. Firstly, Red Bull fired their long-time boss, Christian Horner, in a move that shocked the entire racing world.
Rarely do F1 teams make such significant changes in management halfway through the season, so everybody knew that something must have happened. Regardless, the dismissal of Horner has clearly affected Red Bull this year, as Verstappen is mathematically out of the driver’s championship this season. The McLarens came into the Dutch Grand Prix as the clear favorites.
Piastri would go on to win and extend his lead atop the table to 34 points after Norris had an oil leak, which led to his DNF. A welcome return to the action following a lengthy summer break for the Formula 1 teams. The racing moves next to Monza, and Piastri will be hoping for more of the same.
Is anyone capable of slowing down the papaya colored cars this year
Not likely. The McLaren pair of Piastri and Norris have been unstoppable this year, not counting the rare oil leak that ended Norris’s race in the Dutch Grand Prix. The hope for the chasing pack will be to slow down the McLarens and possibly steal a win, or at least a podium, as most races this year ended with a McLaren one-two. Either Norris or Piastri will take the drivers’ championship this year. The question becomes, can the McLarens find the same pace next year when Formula 1 introduces all new rules and regulations? With this season coming to a climactic end soon, we will have to wait to find out.
