F1 Australian Grand Prix 2022: Underpants debate as drivers ‘go commando’

An underwear furore has erupted at the Aus Grand Prix with drivers warned to be compliant. Oscar Piastri lifted the lid on going commando while Mark Webber made a bold claim.

Aussie Oscar Piastri is biding his time behind veteran Fernando Alonso.

An underwear debate has erupted at the Australian Grand Prix with all drivers warned they needed to be compliant with safety regulations.

Commando has become an unlikely buzz word.

Days after the FIA sent a public reminder about drivers and jewellery, it seems their smalls are now under investigation.

Australia’s F1 superstar in waiting Oscasr Piastri said the topic had been discussed in depth at the Friday driver’s meeting. But he refused to name and shame.

“I’m ok but I’m not driving,” he said. “but I think a few people will have to change their underwear protocols.

“It’s the drivers wearing non fireproof underwear under their fireproof underwear.

“So you’re also going commando if you’re doing that so it was a lighthearted conversation but obviously about safety issues.

“We spoke about underwear longer than DRS to be honest.

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Aussie Oscar Piastri is biding his time behind veteran Fernando Alonso.

“I’m not actually sure if it’s a new rule. It’s a fairly personal topic as well.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said he was aware of the issue and ruling but that he would not be personally checking his two drivers.

Asked if the new race directors were following the new rule book “too literally”, Horner revealed a bit too much about his drivers’ race get-up.

“I certainly won’t be checking our drivers’ underwear,” Horner said.

“For compliance, I see that as a team manager role. Although I am reliably informed that our drivers go commando. Hopefully it won’t be an issue for them.

“I’ve yet to meet the race director. Obviously, they’re doing the best job they can with the rules that they have.

“I understand it was an entertaining driver’s briefing yesterday. But in the interests of weight-saving, whether you’re losing jewellery or underwear at the moment is quite helpful for us.”

Even former F1 driver and Aussie star Mark Webber weighed in while leaving his commentary colleagues in stitches.

“I raced illegally for most of my career,” he said when asked about the issue on Channel 10.

“I never wore fireproof pants, it’s too thick. I was a big unit, it was important for me not to wear it I needed room.

“I can understand why. Underneath the suit there’s fireproof socks, long johns, balaclava. The FIA are going through the old rules.”

F1 LEGEND OUT TO CRUSH AUSSIE’S DREAM

By Rebecca Williams

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso says he is not feeling the pressure of Australia’s young gun Oscar Piastri breathing down his neck, declaring how long he keeps racing in F1 should be about performance and not age.

The 40-year-old is out of contract with Alpine at the end of the year as the team’s reserve driver, Melbourne-born Piastri, waits in the wings for a full-time drive.

Considered extremely unlucky not to be on the Formula One grid in 2022, Piastri, who won back-to-back F3 and F2 championships the past two years, is determined to land a 2023 seat.

Alonso, the Formula One world champion in 2005-06, said there would not be speculation about his future if he was younger.

“I think if I was 25 there would not be this talk,” Alonso said.

“It is an age thing but people try to find a way for the young talent. But I think this is about performance.

“Last year I did well, I finished slightly in front of Esteban, let’s see this year how the battle goes.

“But this is about performance not about age.”

Australian Oscar Piastri, Frenchman Esteban Ocon and Spain’s Fernando Alonso.

Alonso finished 10th in the championship last year, one spot ahead of teammate Esteban Ocon, and sits 13th after the first two races in 2022.

He said he planned to continue racing in Formula One for another two-three years – whether or not it was with Alpine.

“At the beginning of the year I think I still feel competitive and fast and I feel that I am enjoying time in Formula One,” Alonso said.

“So I will race, I guess, a couple more years, two or three more years.

“If it is with Alpine it will be good, if it’s with another team it will be good as well.

“But I will find out and I will start these discussions in summer.”