Former F1 boss sings praises of ‘future all-time king’

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has been touted as ‘a future all-time king of F1’ even though he has yet to win a grand prix.

Piastri has so far proven himself worthy of his seat at motorsport’s top table over the past 18 months since joining McLaren following a protracted contract saga with Alpine who had previously nurtured his rise.

The former F3 and F2 champion has finished on the podium on four occasions in grands prix, three times as a runner-up, whilst he has won a sprint race.

Piastri is still overshadowed by team-mate Lando Norris, although the Briton has an additional four years of experience under his belt with McLaren compared to the 23-year-old Australian.

Over the past two races, in particular, in Austria and at Silverstone, circumstances have conspired against Piastri that have denied him strong results.

At the British Grand Prix especially, he could arguably have won the race but for McLaren opting to avoid a double stack and keeping him out for a lap longer in the changeable wet-to-dry conditions.

“He suffered badly in Austria with the track limits,” said former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan, speaking on the ‘Formula For Success’ podcast.

“At Silverstone, he had to do a lap in a basically undriveable situation on slick tyres, and that is the most uncomfortable thing because you need to keep the car on the track.

“I think with all that he is learning, the downsides and the things that are really hurting him at the moment, I must tell you I think he is learning a huge amount from it. He is learning from McLaren, of course, and he is learning from Lando.”

Jordan has no doubt as to Piastri’s calibre, adding: “This is just me looking into my crystal ball in the future, but I am absolutely certain he will be a world champion within a very short number of years.

“He has everything I think a world champion should have, and he is now gaining so much experience and confidence in that team.

“I have no doubt that he is going to be one of the all-time future kings of our sport.”