2021 was a breakout year for Oscar Piastri. The young Australian driver dominated the Formula 2 season, winning the championship in his rookie season. His performances earned him a place on the Formula 1 grid for the 2023 season.
How Oscar Piastri Became the 2021 Formula 2 Champion
Oscar Piastri’s dominance in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing marked one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns in the series’ history.
Driving the Dallara F2 2018, Piastri replaced Mick Schumacher and teamed up with Ferrari Driver Academy member Robert Shwartzman for the season.
Even motorsport prodigies like George Russell and Charles Leclerc fell short of winning three consecutive titles on their path through the junior ranks, but Oscar Piastri accomplished just that.
The Australian sensation added the 2021 Formula 2 championship to his already impressive collection, which includes the 2020 Formula 3 title and the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup trophy.
🏆 OSCAR PIASTRI 🏆
🏆 2021 FORMULA 2 CHAMPION 🏆#F2 #RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/2Uaf0VScGR
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 11, 2021
A Rising Star in Motorsport
Piastri’s racing journey began with competitive RC car racing. He then transitioned to karting in 2011 at the age of 10. By 2016, he was making waves in single-seater racing, and just two years later, he clinched the Formula Renault Eurocup title.
This victory earned him a place in the Alpine Academy and brought him under the mentorship of Australian racing legend Mark Webber.
Alpine placed their rising star into Formula 3, where Piastri continued to shine during a challenging 2020 season impacted by COVID-19.
Despite never starting from pole position, he claimed the championship with remarkable consistency, securing five podium finishes, including six wins, and finishing outside the points in only four races.
Piastri’s brilliance truly came to the forefront in Formula 2, the pinnacle of junior motorsport.
Demonstrating dominance and poise, he charged to the championship title by finishing outside the points just four times across 23 races.
His record included 14 top-five finishes, six victories, five additional podiums, and an extraordinary run of five consecutive pole positions.
Dominance in Formula 2
Piastri’s debut in Formula 2 was promising. He finished fifth in the opening race and claimed his first F2 victory in the second race of the weekend.
Starting from sixth, Piastri executed a dramatic final-lap overtake on Alpine junior Zhou Guanyu to seize the win.
In the feature race, Piastri started eighth and surged to the lead by lap 13. However, a late collision with Dan Ticktum forced him to retire just two laps before the finish.
In Monaco, Piastri showcased his consistency with back-to-back second-place finishes, climbing to second in the championship standings, trailing only Zhou.
READ MORE: The Story of the 2024 Formula 3 Season
Taking the Championship Lead
A collision ended Piastri’s first sprint race in Baku prematurely. He however bounced back with second place in the feature race.
At Silverstone, he claimed his first F2 pole position. He then took the championship lead after finishing sixth in the first sprint race. By the end of the fourth round, Piastri held a narrow five-point lead over Zhou.
Piastri’s dominance became more evident at Monza, where he earned his first feature race victory after an intense battle with Zhou. He further extended his championship lead with another pole and win at Sochi.
Historic Wins and Championship Glory
Piastri’s remarkable form continued in Jeddah. He became the second driver of the season to win two races in a single weekend.
He claimed victory in the second sprint race and was leading the feature race before it was aborted.
His standout moment came at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. There, a podium finish in the Sprint Race sealed his championship victory.
By the end of the season, Piastri had amassed 252.5 points, with six wins, eleven podiums and a consistent record that overshadowed his competition.
🏆 OSCAR PIASTRI 🏆
🥇 CHAMPION
🏆 Six Wins
🍾 11 Podiums
⏱ Six fastest laps
⏱ Five pole positions#F2 #RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/lBKgdr8881— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 12, 2021
Transition to Formula 1
Piastri’s success in F2 paved the way for a highly anticipated transition to Formula 1. In 2022, he became the reserve driver for Alpine F1, but a contractual dispute led to a move to McLaren in 2023. He replaced fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
Partnered with Lando Norris, Piastri made an immediate impact. He secured his first Formula 1 victory in just his second season, at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, leading a McLaren one-two finish.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Beyond Prejudice: The Women Who Are Changing Formula 1
What sets Piastri apart?
Racecraft: Piastri’s precision in overtaking and defensive driving sets him apart from his peers.
Adaptability: From street circuits to high-speed tracks, Piastri has excelled across diverse challenges.
Mental Strength: Calm under pressure, Piastri has consistently delivered results, even in high-stakes situations.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
Piastri’s triumph placed him in elite company. He joined Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hülkenberg, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell as rookies to win the GP2/F2 title.
Leclerc, Russell, Piastri…
…and now Bortoleto! 🏆
All four secured the #F2 title in their first season and all four will line-up on the @F1 grid together in 2025! 👏#RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/CyTqx4CHeV
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 9, 2024
He also became the fifth driver – alongside Hamilton, Hülkenberg, Leclerc, and Russell – to win the GP3/F3 title and the GP2/F2 title in two consecutive years.
Most impressively, Oscar Piastri made history as the first driver to win the Formula Renault, Formula 3, and Formula 2 championships – in three successive seasons.
This unprecedented feat firmly established Piastri as one of the most promising talents in motorsport.
READ NEXT: Oscar Piastri: 2-Time Rookie Champion to F1 Grand Prix Winner
