Before the start of the weekend in Melbourne, Australian Alpine F1 reserve driver Oscar Piastri answered questions from fans†
Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
Oscar Piastri: I don’t think I’m superstitious, although I always prefer to get into the car on the left, but this is only because it’s more convenient for me. That might be all. I also fasten my seat belts before putting on my gloves. Doing the opposite is much more difficult.
And I have no superstitions, and I don’t listen to music before the start. So in that respect I am a boring person.
Q: You are compared to racers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Do such comparisons only add motivation and desire to achieve high results, or do they just increase the pressure?
Oscar Piastri: I don’t think it affects the pressure, especially not this year because now I don’t race in races. But if people think I’m a driver of the same level as Charles or George, that’s fine.
Q: What does the reserve driver do during the race weekend?
Oscar Piastri: On Thursdays I take a walk around the track with our drivers, attend all the meetings with engineers, communicate with journalists and generally do all the things that allow me to improve my professionalism and skills, because I have no experience in Formula 1. But I hope I will have it in the future.
In meetings with engineers, I first listen to how the drivers share information with them about the car’s handling, I try to find out in case I have to get behind the wheel. All this is very important. And I also follow the progress of all sessions, in the pits of the team.
Question: Do you already know where you will perform next year?
Oscar Piastri: I don’t know yet, but I hope to drive in Formula 1.
Q: Which track would you like to add to the Formula 1 calendar?
Oscar Piastri: Tough question, because most of the circuits I’ve been to already have F1 races. Hockenheim is probably a good track that used to be on the calendar, so it’s a shame it’s not included now.
It was a lot of fun competing there in the youth categories and the races were very interesting. But speaking of less realistic options I would call the Australian job in Bathurst.
Q: In which of the previous periods in Formula 1 history would you like to play in this championship?
Oscar Piastri: I think in the mid 2000s when F1 used loud and powerful V10 engines designed for one and two races, the cars were very light and there was a lot of testing. Plus, those cars looked great, they were all good with handling. I’d be fine with a 2005 Renault R25.
Q: What is your prediction: who will be the Formula 2 champion this year?
Oscar Piastri: Only two stages have passed so far so it’s hard to make any predictions but in my opinion Liam Lawson is performing quite confidently – I remember he had good results last year as well. Perhaps Theo Purscher and Felipe Drugovic also make a good impression.
The season is quite long this year, it consists of 14 stages, so the most important thing is to consistently score points.
Source: F1 News
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