“I belong here”: How Oscar Piastri overcame his difficult start to fight for the F1 world title. Oscar Piastri reflects on his journey from karting to fighting for the Formula 1 world title.

Oscar Piastri shared his career journey in an episode of Off The Grid, discussing his beginnings in karting and leading up to his current season in Formula 1 alongside some of the sport’s biggest names.

The first race weekend

After a very unusual debut, with Alpine and McLaren competing for the Australian’s services, the first race weekend finally arrived. Oscar Piastri hadn’t raced in many months, having only participated in a few tests and sessions as Alpine’s third driver in 2022.

“My first race weekend went quite badly. My first qualifying… I just couldn’t find the rhythm: I started 18th. I think I only did about ten laps before something broke,” he explained.

“Something was wrong: I lost the gearbox. Then the race in Saudi Arabia wasn’t a great result either, but there were also moments that showed really positive signs.”

“We made it to Q3, which was already a good result with the car we had. At that point, you start feeling like a Formula 1 driver and realize you belong in this world, and I understood that I could do it. That was all I needed: a boost of confidence. I can fight with everyone on this grid and I have the right to be here.”

Growth over three years

Over these three years, Oscar Piastri has grown both physically and mentally, culminating in his best performance in 2025. McLaren designed a highly competitive car, and the 24-year-old competed for the world championship.

Getting used to fame

Of course, Formula 1 also means fame and fans following you everywhere. The interviewer asked Piastri if he had finally grown accustomed to this level of media attention.

“Even now it’s much more normal compared to 12 or 24 months ago, but it still feels a bit strange,” said Oscar. “On track, you expect the attention, but sometimes it happens at the supermarket or elsewhere: someone asks for a photo, an autograph, or just ‘is that really you?’.”

“It’s always interesting for me to see the reactions of my friends, who don’t come to the races often. It always makes me smile. You realize that you’ve been recognized so many times. It’s part of the game,” he concluded.

As Oscar Piastri looks toward the 2026 Formula 1 season, he does so no longer as a rookie trying to find his feet, but as a seasoned winner with a world title in his sights. The transformation from a driver who “couldn’t find the rhythm” in his first qualifying to a technician capable of leading the McLaren charge is a testament to the grit and self-belief that defines his career.