Rising F1 star compared to Lewis Hamilton by top TV pundit

Hamilton in aanloop naar race in Canada — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 News & Gossip

Rising F1 star compared to Hamilton by top TV pundit

Made a major breakthrough in the sport during 2023

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Wednesday 24 January 2024 00:57

Oscar Piastri has been hailed as the future of the sport after a stunning rookie season saw him put up the best first-season points tally since Lewis Hamilton.

While Piastri benefited from a more generous points system than Hamilton's debut, the Austrailan's performances were incredibly impressive, picking up back to back podiums and a sprint victory in Japan and Qatar.

While Piastri was defeated by his highly rated British team-mate Lando Norris - finishing 108 points down having scored 97 points - the Australian impressed.

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As well as taking excellent podiums in Japan and Qatar, he also recorded a sprint victory in the latter to cement his status as one of F1's 'one to watch' stars heading into the future.

For Sky Sports broadcaster David Croft though, his potential is sky high, comparing his debut season to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Oscar Piastri enjoyed an excellent first season in Formula 1 in 2023

Sky broadcaster David Croft has lavished Oscar Piastri with plenty of praise

Piastri makes major F1 splash

“Oscar’s a sponge of a driver. He soaks everything up, he learns," Croft said Autosport International event.

“He learned at the hands of Fernando Alonso [at Alpine]. He spent a year watching Fernando in the garage and he soaked it all up and he’s used all that experience.

“It was one of the best rookie seasons, I think, since Lewis Hamilton, back in 2007. I’m a big fan of Oscar Piastri.”

Lewis Hamilton McLaren Lando Norris Oscar Piastri Japan