IN DEPTH: High expectations and world champion comparisons – but can Oscar Piastri live up to the hype?

Oscar Piastri’s first official Grand Prix weekend press conference saw the 21-year-old Melbourne native line up in Bahrain alongside one of the legends of F1, Fernando Alonso. The contrast between the veteran two-time world champion was well made when it was pointed out that the Australian rookie’s first go-kart was an Alonso-branded model.

“I grew up watching him,” Piastri smiled. “So, for me, it’s a privilege to race against him. On paper, it sounds a little bit strange to be starting… For Fernando’s career to be longer than I’ve been alive but yeah, it’s a big privilege to race against someone like Fernando.”