OSCAR PIASTRI F1 2023 RESULTS: FULL QUALIFYING, RACE FINISHES FROM AUSTRALIAN MCLAREN DRIVER'S DEBUT SEASON
Oscar Piastri's debut season in Formula 1 has come to a close, and it's fair to say it was a success.
The Australian had to overcome a slow start with McLaren but began to thrive after some important upgrades were made to the car.
He finished the 2023 campaign with 11 point-paying finishes and two podiums.
Arguably his biggest achievement came in the sprint format, where he took out the sprint race in Belgium.
MORE: F1 2024 — Confirmed drivers and team lineups
Oscar Piastri qualifying, race results: F1 2023
| Grand Prix | Qualifying result | Race finish |
| Bahrain | 18th | DNF |
| Saudi Arabia | 9th | 15th |
| Australia | 16th | 8th |
| Azerbaijan | 10th | 11th |
| Miami | 19th | 19th |
| Emilia Romagna | - | - |
| Monaco | 11th | 10th |
| Spain | 10th | 11th |
| Canada | 9th | 11th |
| Austria | 13th | 16th |
| Great Britain | 3rd | 4th |
| Hungary | 4th | 5th |
| Belgium | 5th | DNF |
| Netherlands | 8th | 9th |
| Italy | 7th | 12th |
| Singapore | 17th | 7th |
| Japan | 2nd | 3rd |
| Qatar | 6th | 2nd |
| United States | 10th | DNF |
| Mexico | 7th | 8th |
| Brazil | 10th | 14th |
| Las Vegas | 18th | 10th |
| Abu Dhabi | 3rd | 6th |
Oscar Piastri's career highlights and progression
Piastri began his racing career in 2011 as a go-karter.
The Melbourne-born racer worked his way up through divisions in Australia and Europe, finishing third in the Australian Kart Championship in 2015.
The next year he transitioned away from karts, earning a spot in the Formula 4 UAE Championship.
Piastri then moved to the United Kingdom to compete in the Formula 4 British Championship where he came second in 2017.
The Australian's first major racing championship victory came in 2019 when he emerged victorious after the Formula Renault Eurocup season.
He progressed to Formula 3 in 2020, followed immediately by a move to Formula 2 in 2021. Impressively, he won both of those championships.
Why did Oscar Piastri leave Alpine for McLaren?
Prior to his move to McLaren, Piastri was a member of Alpine's driver academy.
The young Australian was selected as the Renault-owned team's reserve driver for the 2022 season and was heavily backed to fill the 2023 seat of the departing Fernando Alonso.
In August last year, Piastri was initially announced as an Alpine driver, but he publicly disputed the matter on social media.
"I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year," Piastri wrote.
"This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
Piastri was then announced as a McLaren driver, resulting in Alpine taking the matter to the Contract Recognition Board, arguing they already had a valid contract in place.
However, McLaren were deemed to have secured a legal contract with Piastri, locking him in for 2023.
Daniel Ricciardo mutually agreed to cut his three-year contract short with McLaren amid the debacle.
Piastri explained his decision to depart Alpine to Formula1.com.
"I was free to choose my destiny - and I felt McLaren was a great opportunity," he said.
"They were very straightforward and very keen and enthusiastic to have me.
"To be completely honest, there was a lack of clarity around my future at the team at Alpine."
2023-02-28T00:39:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd