Oscar Piastri expressed feeling honored by comparisons to Alain Prost, the four-time World Champion and McLaren icon, while emphasizing the challenges in comparing drivers from different Formula 1 eras. Piastri acknowledged that although there are parallels in their approaches, the changing nature of the sport affects how such comparisons should be viewed.
The French legend Alain Prost sees a resemblance between himself and the young Australian, especially as Piastri competes against his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in a heated championship battle.
The Influence of Alain Prost on Piastri’s Career Path
Prost, known for his strategic racing style that balanced speed with caution to preserve his championship leads, has followed Piastri’s development from junior categories through to Formula 1. Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, Prost revealed that he encouraged Renault to bring Piastri into their junior program before Piastri’s move to McLaren in 2023.
While the nickname ‘Petit Prost’ has been given to other emerging talents like Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, it is Piastri who has drawn the direct comparison from the former multiple World Champion, noted for his pragmatic and calculated racing tactics.
Insights into the Rivalry Between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris
As teammates at McLaren, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have showcased intense competition during the 2025 F1 season. Current head-to-head statistics highlight a close battle in both qualifying performances and race finishes. Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship by nine points as the season advances past the summer break, with 10 races remaining.
Prost shared his admiration for Piastri’s racing intelligence:
“I saw him driving in Formula 3, or even before, and then Formula 2,”
and added,
“I like the way he behaves, a little bit like me, thinking about when to do the right manoeuvre for overtaking and being a little bit more clever.”
—Alain Prost, Former F1 Driver
Responding to these remarks, Piastri acknowledged the similarity in mindset but noted that the context of their racing careers differs significantly, particularly with regard to reliability challenges during Prost’s era:
“I’ve had that comparison from a few people with Prost,”
he said.
“I see it in some ways. I think it’s very different. Back in the day, there were a lot more reliability concerns, a lot more driver-induced reliability issues as well.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
He elaborated on how the importance of consistency remains central to championship success:
“I think in some ways it’s quite different, but the mentality in some ways is the same, trying to be consistent.”
Piastri highlighted the trade-off between risk and reward in racing: failing to finish can cost much more than finishing second, emphasizing the need for calculated strategies.
He concluded,
“I think that side of things is still the same, but probably the reasoning for it is quite different. The mentality is probably pretty similar, which has worked pretty well in the past.”
The Championship Outlook and What Lies Ahead
As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, Oscar Piastri holds a narrow lead over teammate Lando Norris, setting the stage for a compelling conclusion to their title fight. Their contrasting styles and close points gap underscore the intensity within the McLaren team and highlight the ongoing significance of racecraft and reliability.
This continuing rivalry not only defines the current championship but may also set the tone for future battles in Formula 1, as drivers adapt to evolving technology and regulations while maintaining the mental resilience championed by legends like Alain Prost.