Melbourne’s Oscar Piastri on chasing his dreams, being the face of F1 and earning $750K a year

Melbourne’s own Oscar Piastri says he’s staying humble and not letting the Formula One fame get to his head in his first major Aussie interview since signing with McLaren.

The Melbourne born and bred new kid on the Formula One grid has spoken of his determination to shrug off fame and fortune to fly the flag for Australia on the global stage.

Oscar Piastri, 21, realised a childhood dream but simultaneously sent the F1 world into a spin with his shock decision to sign with Grand Prix giant McLaren was announced recently.

The Brighton raised, former Haileybury College student admitted his entry into the hugely popular F1 world had been bumpy, not least because fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo was kicked out of his seat at McLaren to make way for a young gun widely regarded as a future star of the sport.

“Obviously it hasn’t been the smoothest of entries into the sport but it’s great to have my future finally cemented and generally it’s been a very positive reaction,’’ he said.

Melbourne’s Oscar Piastri said he’ll ‘do the best he can’ racing for McLaren in Formula One. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images.

Piastri with his 2021 F2 championship trophy.

“It’s been nice to have the support and I’m looking forward to getting back to Melbourne next year for the Grand Prix and hopefully seeing everyone.’’

In his first major Australian interview since signing with McLaren this month, Piastri told the Herald Sun he was determined to be the face of face of F1 for years to come but was still coming to terms with the fact he would be a role model and carry the hopes of a nation.

“For me the attention and that side of things is not something I’ve ever really craved,’’ he said.

“I’m there to firstly enjoy what I’m doing and secondly do the best that I can.

“Everything after that is almost secondary.

“My personality and the way I’ve been brought up by my family … I’m a pretty relaxed person I would say.

“That side of things I’m not that concerned about really.’’

Piastri is expected to earn about $750,000 in his first year in F1 but that figure will explode if he is successful, with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris pocketing an estimated $32 million this year.

But he was determined not to let the money or hype of one of the most rich and glamorous sports on earth get to him.

Piastri is expected to earn $750,000 in his first year of racing.

The former Alpine reserves driver isn’t letting the fame get to his head. Picture: Robert Cianflone.

Still pinching himself he would get to race before a parochial home crowd at Albert Park next year, he was determined to do things his way and forge a long F1 career that made Australians proud.

“It’s a pretty rare opportunity to have what is quite literally a home race,’’ he said.

“I grew up almost around the corner from Albert Park, probably 15 or 20 minutes away, so it’s a pretty awesome opportunity.

“It will be a cool experience and an exciting moment.’’

Piastri, who left home aged just 14 years to chase his racing dream in the UK and Europe, hoped Ricciardo found a F1 ride elsewhere.

“I don’t know what his future holds but from my point of view I think it would be fantastic to have two Aussies on the grid,’’ he said.

“I think it’s a pretty rare occurrence to have that opportunity so to me that would be awesome.

Piastri left home at just age 14 to chase his dreams in the UK and Europe. Picture: Getty Images

Piastri has graduated from Alpine reserve driver to McLaren. Picture: Twitter.

“But I’m not sure what Daniel’s career holds in the future.’’

He said having former Aussie F1 star Mark Webber in his corner when deciding to sign with McLaren and not the Alpine team he is a reserve driver for this season helped.

“It was obviously a pretty tricky time and I think the details of what went on have been reasonably well documented,’’ he said.

“I’m just happy to have it all sorted now and very excited.’’

Webber told the Herald Sun Piastri had “a level of composure’’ well beyond his years and was “just a down to earth, good young kid having a red hot crack.

“He’s going to fly the flag well for us,’’ he said.

“Everyone that has worked with Oscar has seen something pretty unique and special.

“But we’re mindful Formula One is a different beast.’’

Piastri said his first focus was to “try and enjoy it because it’s a pretty cool job to have.’’

“To have my debut in F1 confirmed now and sorted, it’s given me a bit of time to think about the journey,’’ he said.

“But also, it’s very much the start of the new journey and the one that I’ve worked so hard for already.

“So it’s been nice to look back on how I got here, the success I’ve had along the way and the sacrifices but I’m very much looking forward to focusing on what is to come.’’

That includes trying to end the Albert Park hoodoo that has seen no Aussie stand on the top step of the podium of their home race.

“I will be trying my best,’’ he said.

“I think Melbourne is going to be my third Grand Prix so if I could be doing it by then I think I will be doing a pretty reasonable job.” We will see how it goes.’’