Oscar Piastri eyes another ‘home' victory at Emilia-Romagna GP
Oscar Piastri Eyes Another "Home" Victory at Historic Imola Circuit
McLaren's rising star Oscar Piastri is poised to potentially add another "home" race victory to his impressive résumé as Formula 1 heads to the historic Imola circuit this weekend. With an ever-growing list of tracks that feel like home—stretching from Melbourne to Shanghai, Bahrain, Monaco, Silverstone, and Monza—the 24-year-old Australian remains the one to beat in the 2023 season.
From Melbourne to Shanghai to Italy
Piastri's debut in his hometown of Melbourne might not have met expectations earlier this year, but he quickly rebounded with an emotional win in Shanghai, where he celebrated his connection to his 1/16th Chinese ancestry. Now, his Italian surname draws affectionate attention in Italy, the land of Ferrari, which also holds links to his distant relatives.
This week, Piastri deepened his connection to Italy by receiving the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy in Brisighella. The award honors the memory of Ferrari driver Lorenzo Bandini, who tragically lost his life in a crash during the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.
"Considering I don't drive for the team in red, it was impressive to see how many people were there," Piastri said during the ceremony. "Also to meet some of my now very, very distant relatives, from where my family name originated, was very special. I'm now an honorary citizen of Licciana Nardi in Italy, which is where my great, great—maybe great—grandfather was from. So it was a special day. Another home race."
Joining the Legends
The accolade places Piastri in elite company, joining past winners such as the legendary Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren ace has been the dominant force on the grid in recent weeks, building a commanding 16-point lead over teammate Lando Norris. With four wins in the last five races, including a remarkable three-race winning streak capped off by his victory in Miami, Piastri enters Imola as the clear favorite alongside a resurgent McLaren team. Notably, McLaren has claimed victory in five of this season's six races, solidifying their argument as the team to beat.
The Challenge of Imola
While McLaren remains the frontrunner, Piastri is wary of the challenges posed by the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
"We've got very soft tyres this weekend, so maybe that will help us. But it's a lot cooler than it was in Miami. The track is also incredibly different—much bumpier, much higher speeds in general," Piastri commented on the demands of the iconic circuit. "I expect the competition to be closer than it was in Miami."
The Season Ahead
Beyond Imola, Piastri's knack for embracing "home" crowds will continue. With Bahrain—the home of McLaren's majority owners—already ticked off as a victorious stop, the Australian will head to Monaco next, where Ferrari's Charles Leclerc once joked about Piastri being an "adopted son" of the principality. Piastri leaned into the humor, humorously claiming on social media that he had begun searching his family tree for potential Monegasque ties.
Further afield, Silverstone and Monza will also provide their own "home" flavor, as McLaren’s headquarters and Italy's premier Grand Prix circuit, respectively, look to bring more magic to Piastri's already spectacular season.
All Eyes on Imola
For now, all eyes are on Imola. Will Oscar Piastri extend his streak and further cement his place at the top of Formula 1? Only Sunday's race will tell.
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