'Silent assassin': How Oscar Piastri will use Kobe Bryant mindset for F1 glory
Oscar Piastri’s mum has revealed her Melbourne-born Formula One star son has “studied all the greats” of sport — and will channel late basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s mindset — in his bid to become world champion.
Oscar Piastri’s mum has declared her Melbourne-born Formula One star son will channel the ruthless mindset of basketball legend Kobe Bryant as he fights to become world champion in the next fortnight.
With two races remaining in the F1 season, 24-year-old Piastri is in a three-way battle with reigning world champ Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Lando Norris for global glory.
As he carries the hopes of a nation cheering his dream of becoming just Australia’s third world champion, Nicole Piastri said her son grew up idolising the late, great NBA star Bryant and his “Mamba Mentality” for winning.
And she told the Herald Sun the former Brighton student would channel the ice cold mantra of the Los Angeles Lakers legend as he chased history on foreign soil.
“Yes, I would say so, absolutely,” she said.
“He’s always been very patient and very calculating and he will pick his time to overtake.
“So I would say yes. I think he’s studied all the greats, of any sport, and tried to process what their X factor was, to then try and channel that.”
Despite huge pressure to perform after leading the driver’s championship for much of the season, Ms Piastri said the Richmond footy club loving McLaren star would take the challenge in his stride.
“He’s got it covered, so I’m just looking forward to having him home for Christmas,” she said.
Piastri’s former F1 high performance coach Kim Keedle said he would cherish the challenge of the next two races and a “seriously quiet and competitive” nature would hold him in good stead.
“He means business,” he said. “Call in Mamba Mentality if you like but he’s certainly a silent assassin.”
Mr Keedle, who worked with Piastri for four years, said: “He leans heavily into these things and does a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure he’s ready to go in these situations.”
Piastri’s sister Hattie agreed her famous family member would give his all to bring global glory down under.
“I mean obviously it’s a photo finish, like it’s right down to these two last races,’’ she said. “But this is his dream, he’s worked his whole life to get where he is and he knows that we are all very proud of him.”
Hattie, who on Wednesday night attended a VIP viewing of a new F1 Exhibition opening in Melbourne alongside her mum, said Piastri could hold his head up high regardless after already winning seven races this year.
“It’s comforting for him to know that his family and his country is behind him and it will be very exciting for him to see what happens,” she said.
F1 The Exhibition opens at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday.
Originally published as 'Silent assassin': How Oscar Piastri will use Kobe Bryant mindset for F1 glory
