When Oscar Piastri was 13, he expressed his delight on Instagram at scoring $500 for winning a karting competition.
Less than a decade later, the racing young gun from Melbourne is said to be hauling in $750,000 in his first year as a McLaren Formula 1 driver.
He can scarcely believe it.
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“Nine years ago winning $500 of prizemoney on junior karting to now being a professional racing driver in Formula 1 — it’s pretty crazy how quickly things sneak up on you,” Piastri told 9News in London, where he’s spectating Wimbledon following the British Grand Prix.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, a lot of big decisions to make.
“Left home when I was 14 and have lived on the other side of the world since then.
“It doesn’t come without giving a few things up, but I think getting to Formula 1 in the first place made it worth it.”
The 22-year-old enjoyed a promising weekend at the British Grand Prix, qualifying in third to secure a career-best qualifying result, before achieving a career-best fourth place on Sunday.
He spent the majority of the race in third, but an unfortunately timed safety car saw him drop behind Lewis Hamilton.
“Now, after Silverstone I don’t want to get too ahead of myself,” Piastri said.
“We might not be able to repeat that every weekend. But to at least have that opportunity already — it just makes everything so worth it and validates everything you’ve worked for over the last 12 years in my case.”
Piastri ‘massively unlucky’ to miss F1 podium
The British Grand Prix was also a success for Piastri’s McLaren teammate, with Lando Norris finishing second.
“We bought some upgrades to Lando’s car in Austria and I got to try them out in Silverstone and they worked a treat, clearly,” Piastri said.
“To have that opportunity to be at the front of F1 10 races into my career was very, very special, and yes, qualifying third was very, very special.
“Fourth was a little bit bitter-sweet when we were running third for so long in the race … but I think where we were, which was towards the back more often than not, to be disappointed with fourth seems a little bit unfair.
“It was a massive result for the whole team and for myself, as well, to put a clean weekend together, and to know I can match Lando and fight the guys at the very front is quite a good confidence boost.”
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