Oscar Piastri honoured with a newly discovered wasp species. Researchers pay tribute to Oscar Piastri with newly discovered wasp.

A light-hearted story shared by Formula 1’s official channels has brought smiles across the paddock this week, as a newly discovered species of wasp has been named in honour of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri.

The unusual tribute has quickly become a talking point among Formula 1 insiders and fans alike, combining the worlds of science and motorsport in a rather unexpected way.

Scientists honour Oscar Piastri with a newly discovered species

The new species was discovered in Burmese amber found in northern Myanmar. While the insect had previously been unknown to science, the researchers responsible for its identification apparently had no doubts when it came to choosing a name.

The species has been officially named Gwesped Piastrii, a direct tribute to McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. According to the scientists involved, the reasoning behind the name was surprisingly simple. In interviews, they explained that the amber’s distinctive colour reminded them of the papaya shade famously associated with McLaren. From that point on, finding an appropriate name became an easy decision.

The researchers, who are reportedly passionate motorsport fans, decided to celebrate one of Formula 1’s most recognizable modern drivers by linking his name to the newly identified species.

Piastri’s growing profile extends beyond Formula 1

The tribute is another sign of Oscar Piastri’s growing popularity both within and beyond the Formula 1 world.

The Australian spent much of the 2025 season leading the Drivers’ Championship and appeared to be a strong contender for the title. However, his championship challenge gradually faded during the final third of the campaign, particularly after Formula 1 returned from the summer break. Ultimately, the title was won by his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, denying Piastri what would have been a breakthrough world championship triumph.

Even so, the Australian remains one of the most highly regarded talents on the grid, and now his influence has extended into an area few racing drivers ever reach: having an entirely new species named after them.

While it may not be the trophy Oscar Piastri was hoping to lift, having a newly discovered insect bear his name is certainly one of the more unusual honours a Formula 1 driver can receive.