For the Australian driver, unlearning his long-established driving style will not be easy this season, given the characteristics of the new Formula 1 cars.
New techniques
From the shakedown in Barcelona to the opening pre-season test in Sakhir, which will once again take place at this circuit from Wednesday February 18 to Friday February 20, drivers have had their first impressions not only of the cars they will race throughout this year’s championship, but above all of the new driving style required.
One of the most discussed (and necessary) techniques to help drivers save fuel during races with the new power units will be lift and coast. This method involves lifting off the throttle before the braking point and allowing the car to roll freely into the corner, reducing fuel consumption and managing energy more efficiently over a race distance.
Farewell to the old school
Speaking about this driving approach, Oscar Piastri underlined how he and his rivals will need to unlearn habits that have defined the last decade and a half in Formula 1.
“I think it’s simply complex. There are many things we’ve never had to do before, and they’re challenging by nature because some of them aren’t very instinctive,” he explained.
“When you’ve driven in a certain way over the past 15 years, it’s quite difficult to fix some of these issues, especially when you’re lifting off on the straights or doing things like that. Obviously, as a driver, you would never want to lift off at any point, even without some of the challenges we’re facing.
“Ultimately, the cars are slower and have less downforce, and probably more power on corner exit, so they’ll always be difficult to drive. They’re different compared to last year,” he concluded, “but in certain conditions the cars don’t feel that different. In some cases they will be, and it will change a lot from track to track.”
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