Oscar Piastri hosts Sam Konstas and Australian Test teammates at McLaren factory

Formula One star Oscar Piastri hosted Sam Konstas and a bunch of his Australian teammates at the McLaren factory outside of London last week but the visit has had to remain a secret … until now.

The handbrake has finally come off the meeting of two of Australian sport’s brightest talents.

Formula 1 champ Oscar Piastri hosted 19-year-old cricket prodigy Sam Konstas and a bunch of his Australian teammates at the McLaren factory outside of London last week but the visit to the Disneyland of motorsport has had to remain a secret … until now.

In an insight into the billion-dollar high stakes game F1 teams are competing in, McLaren put all photos and videos taken on the day through a strict vetting process to ensure the factory’s inner-workings are kept away from the prying eyes of rivals like Ferrari and Red Bull.

Konstas has been aching to post his photo with 24-year-old Piastri, who shares an intimate understanding of what it’s like to set alight the big stage and have the world glued to your every move.

Cricket’s most exciting P-Plater – like the rest of his teammates – was in awe of Piastri’s presence and wisdom.

“He’s 24. First in the Formula 1. I don’t know how he deals with so much pressure on him,” Konstas said.

Oscar Piastri hosted Sam Konstas and a bunch of his Australian teammates at the McLaren factory outside of London last week.

Oscar Piastri meets the Australian cricket team.

“But full credit to him.

“He’s a legend of a bloke. He’s a massive cricket fan. Having a bit of time with him was a huge honour.

“It was a great experience – obviously witnessing all those amazing cars. We actually jumped on the driving simulator and Oscar was driving a few laps and he showed us how it was done.”

Formula 1 die-hard Usman Khawaja was dominating on the driving simulator, but it was a fast bowler with a need for speed Mitchell Starc who ultimately recorded the hottest lap of the Australian stars.

Usman Khawaja was dominating on the driving simulator.

Konstas had no trouble keeping his head in the cauldron of the MCG, but didn’t find it quite so easy behind the wheel of a simulated McLaren.

“I was terrible. I was crashing all the time. It was good fun,” Konstas said.

“I was definitely the worst one. Usman Khawaja was like a little kid. We were trying to get him off and he just kept playing. He loves Formula 1 stuff.

“It was such a good experience, seeing behind the scenes on how they go about things, the speed they race and Oscar is a legend. Hopefully he keeps coming first and he dominates.”

Oscar Piastri meets the Australian cricket team.

Nathan Lyon – like Khawaja and Starc – has developed a close bond with Piastri over recent years and they stay in regular contact.

Lyon preferred to play it safe on the track and also in how much he could divulge about the wonders he witnessed behind the McLaren curtain.

“The facilities that they have and the way they go about it is pretty phenomenal. I don’t know how much I can say, Red bull might be listening,” Lyon said.

Nathan Lyon has developed a close bond with Oscar Piastri over recent years .

“Hopefully we’ll see McLaren win the world championship. That will be the dream for any Australian fan.

“What’s that road safety saying?” Lyon said about his own performance on the driving sim.

“Rather be safe than dead. That’s my theory behind the wheel.

“Starcy was the No.1 candidate for us.”

Originally published as Oscar Piastri hosts Sam Konstas and Australian Test teammates at McLaren factory