Oscar Piastri makes Lewis Hamilton claim in response to comparison

Oscar Piastri achieved exceptional results in his first season in F1, challenging McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri feels it’s “nice” to compare his rookie season to Lewis Hamilton’s as he feels the McLaren driver has had a great season.

Piastri entered F1 this season after a controversial move from Alpine to McLaren that required the assistance of the FIA ​​Contract Approval Committee.

Some wondered whether Piastri would find it difficult to come to terms with the way he joined the Woking-based club. But he was successful from the start.

Piastri’s rookie season is considered the best since his return to Hamilton in 2007, when the seven-time world champion fought for the title.

Although the young Australian never fought for the title, he fought for the top spots and even won the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.

He achieved his first top three finish in a sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he narrowly lost to Max Verstappen.

Before scoring his first sprint victory, Piastri scored his first F1 podium at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing second in the race and capping off the GP weekend in Qatar.

Few expected him to rise to the top so quickly, much less expect him to face Lando Norris so soon.

Norris has been too strong for Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo in recent years. However, even he was pushed to his limit by Piastri.

It’s no surprise that his rookie season has been compared to Hamilton’s, but he admits he is the first rookie since the Mercedes driver to own a car as good as he did in 2007..

“It’s great to be able to make comparisons like that,” Piastri told Sky Sports F1. “I’m probably the first rookie since Lewis to have had a car this competitive.”

“Certainly, it helps in a way, but I feel like this was a good year.”

“I am proud of the fact that when I had the opportunity to be on the podium or at the front fighting for pole position, I often felt like I could get the most out of the car and let myself go.

Starting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from third on the grid, Piastri certainly has a chance to finish his first season on a high.