Oscar Piastri

The making of a champion - a motorsport insider's account of Oscar Piastri's legendary Formula 1 journey from rookie to title contender in three years.

The meteoric rise of motorsport phenom Oscar Piastri has been the stuff of legends - so far. Joining the famous McLaren F1 team after a record-breaking three straight titles across Formula Renault, Formula 3, and Formula 2 set up one of the most anticipated F1 rookie seasons ever. Being wooed over from Alpine to replace a struggling Daniel Ricciardo and help turn the team's fortunes around only added to the weight of expectation.

The grid was set, the world's cameras were rolling, and rabid fans filled the stands - and the rookie delivered.

The past three F1 seasons only added to Piastri's growing legend. He not only proved he deserved his seat alongside Lando Norris in McLaren papaya, but also that he could go toe to toe with the best drivers on the planet. Clawing his way up the driver standings with his signature poise and focus, and through jaw-dropping comebacks, Oscar tallied an impressive points haul and win record, ultimately vying for the driver's championship.

In this significantly revised and updated edition, premier motorsport journalist Andrew van Leeuwen gives us an insider's look into Piastri's rise to F1 stardom - from the moment his racing roots first took hold, to the ups, downs and inevitable controversies that led to his arrival at McLaren, and a thrilling race-by-race account of the young Australian's fight for the 2025 championship.