Rising Formula 1 star Oscar Piastri has responded to comparisons between himself and former world champion Alain Prost, a legendary figure in motorsport history. The young McLaren driver reacted to Prost’s comments, where the Frenchman praised Piastri’s racecraft.
Piastri is currently leading the World Drivers’ Championship and seems to be the favourite in the McLaren duo to win the title.
Prost’s high praise for Oscar Piastri
In a recent interview with Autosport, Piastri was asked about the recent comparisons with the F1 legend. At Goodwood, the four-time world champion Prost applauded the McLaren driver:
“I like the way he behaves, it’s a little like me. Thinking about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever,” Prost said about the young Australian’s racing style.
F1 Legend Alain Prost Calls Oscar Piastri a Modern-Day Version of Himself in Stunning Praise
For Prost, who was known as ‘The Professor’ for his calculating race-craft, this is no casual comment. It is high praise of Piastri’s ability to balance aggression with patience. This was a key trait that defined Prost’s legendary career.
Prost’s racing philosophy was built on precision. While rivals like Ayrton Senna relied on daring overtakes and breakneck speed, Prost mastered the art of strategy and consistency. He knew when to push, when to defend, and when to settle for points rather than risk everything for a win.
When asked about Prost’s remarks, Piastri was quick to acknowledge the magnitude of this. “It’s very cool coming from Alain,” he said with a smile. “I’ve had that comparison from a few people with Prost, so I see it in some ways.”
Rather than charging into every battle, Piastri picks his moments. He weighs risk versus reward with the cool precision of a veteran, despite only being his third F1 season. This disciplined approach has already delivered standout performances, including six wins this season.
Different eras, similar mentalities
Prost also noted key differences between their eras. He pointed out how Prost’s driving style stemmed from a time when racing and cars were far more unpredictable, so racing was different.
“Back in the day, there were a lot more reliability concerns, a lot more driver-induced reliability issues as well,” Piastri explained. “So I think in some ways it’s quite different.”
In Prost’s time, pushing too hard could mean engine failures of gearbox issues. However, these problems are much less common in modern F1 and driving style has generally adapted with this.
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“There’s been a lot more made out about papaya rules than what there actually is. It’s literally one rule which is don’t crash into each other. That’s an unsaid rule in every team.
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Yet, Oscar Piastri admits that they share the same fundamental outlook on their racing. “The mentality in some ways is the same, you know, trying to be consistent,” he acknowledged.
“When you’re fighting for first and second, it’s a seven-point difference, but if you don’t finish the race, it’s potentially 18 or 25 points you lose,” Piastri said, emphasising the importance of calculated moves.
Where some young talents chase every overtake, Piastri understands the long game- much like Prost did in his battles against Senna. “You still have to make sure you finish the races, be consistent, and not take unnecessary risks”.
The points difference Piastri talks about is a crucial consideration, especially in this season. He currently leads the Drivers’ Championship ahead of his teammate by just 9 points. So, his caution and measured approach is well-founded because he cannot afford to make rash decisions that could lead to costly mistakes.
For Oscar Piastri, being compared to Alain Prost is more than just flattery. It’s the validation of a mindset that could define his career. While modern F1 has evolved, the essence of Prost’s philosophy of consistency over recklessness remains relevant.
Navigating a tight championship battle, his ability to balance competitiveness with a Prost-like mentality could prove to be crucial for the second half of the Formula 1 season.
