Oscar Piastri is making his debut with McLaren this season from Alpine after a switch saga final summer season; Piastri companions Lando Norris in 2023; pre-season testing reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from February 23-25 earlier than season-opening Bahrain GP on March 5

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Oscar Piastri says he is centered on life at McLaren and is able to get caught in after Monday’s 2023 automobile launch

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has admitted “there will be some rust” throughout his rookie Method 1 season after not racing for over a 12 months however insists he is not feeling additional strain following his contentious transfer from Alpine.

The 21-year-old was Alpine’s reserve driver in 2022, however this season he’ll accomplice Lando Norris at McLaren after changing the underperforming Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri comes into F1 with numerous expectation after being the primary driver to win Method Renault (2019), Method 3 (2020) and Method 2 (2021) in consecutive years.

At McLaren’s automobile launch, Piastri advised Sky Sports activities Information: “I feel for the start of the 12 months, my first in F1, a brand new group for me, and I have not raced for over a 12 months, there will be some rust.

“I simply must concentrate on myself and work with my group to try to get again up to the mark as shortly as potential, as a result of there’s just a few issues with out racing that you could’t actually practice.”

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McLaren have revealed their new MCL60 for the 2023 F1 season

The Australian controversially signed for McLaren after rejecting a promotion at Alpine, with a court docket listening to – dominated in his favour – required to verify the method had been authorized.

However 5 months later, Piastri feels unscathed from what occurred and now prepares to race alongside Norris, who has shortly established himself as considered one of F1’s prime drivers.

“No additional strain,” added Piastri. “Coming into F1 from earlier ends in junior classes, there’s going to be expectation.

“Whereas the drama created numerous consideration, it has nothing to do with my driving. Outcomes create the expectation. I do not assume that provides something – I am going into the season fairly comfy.

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McLaren group principal Andrea Stella says all his consideration is on making the MCL60 a ‘fast automobile’

“As soon as info got here out it was all clear I hadn’t accomplished something improper. Time is a healer.”

Piastri’s response to Alpine initially asserting him as their 2023 driver shortly divided opinion, however the McLaren hierarchy had been stuffed with reward for the way he acted all through.

CEO Zak Brown advised Sky Sports activities Information: “Impressed with how he dealt with himself beneath strain and amid unfair and inaccurate accusations.

“Thought the best way he performed himself confirmed how mature, centered and calm he’s. Since then, that is what I’ve continued to see. On NYE he is simply chilling out interested by racing.”

Pre-season testing is on February 23-25 in Bahrain earlier than the season begins on the identical monitor with the Bahrain GP on March 5. Testing in addition to each observe, qualifying and race session might be reside on Sky Sports activities F1.