From Karting to Formula 1: Oscar Piastri’s Racing Journey

Quick Summary:

Oscar Piastri’s rise from local karting club champion to Formula 1 race winner is a masterclass in consistent training, mental resilience, and driver development. Learn how karting laid the foundation for his success and how aspiring racers can follow his blueprint with programs like Kart Class.

Oscar’s Career In Summary:

• Early Years: Piastri began karting in Australia before moving to Europe in 2014 to compete at the international level.

• Transition to Junior Formula: He impressed in British F4 and won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup with seven victories.

• Rapid Rise: Piastri won the FIA F3 and F2 championships back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, both as a rookie.

• F1 Breakthrough: He joined McLaren in 2023, scoring two podiums and a sprint win in an outstanding rookie season.

• Establishing Himself: In 2024, he took his first F1 race wins and helped McLaren capture the Constructors’ title.

In just 58 race starts, Aussie sensation Oscar Piastri has accumulated 7 Wins, 20 Podiums, 4 Pole Positions, and 623 Career Points. Suffice to say that the McLaren driver was always built for the limelight. However, it was not too long ago that the esteemed racer was once just a boy in a go-kart chasing the Formula 1 (F1) dream. In this article, we will take a deep dive into Piastri’s steady rise from karting to F1 and how consistency and fearlessness brought him to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Early Karting Years:

Source: Oakleigh Go-Kart Racing Club

Interestingly enough, Piastri’s first dose of racing adrenaline came in the form of remote control (RC) car racing, similar to the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna. A year later at age 10, he made the jump to go-karts, racing at his local track the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club (OGKRC). Even with no experience, the young Aussie made it look seamless as he won race after race before eventually winning his first title two years later. Thanks to strong karting training and support from go-kart coaching mentors at OGKRC, Piastri unlocked his true potential and raw pace. Along the way, he became a protégé of Australian karting legend James Sera, cousin to Kart Class coach and legend in his own right, David Sera. With James’ help, Piastri continued this run of championship form, notching a total of 9 titles in the span of four years, including a notable 3rd place finish at the IAME International Final in the Junior category.

Eventually, Piastri realized that to truly test his mettle, he had to take his talents overseas. At age 14, he committed to racing in Europe with the Kosmic Racing Team. The Aussie karting prodigy never gave up even with the initial struggle, eventually catching the eye of Ricky Flynn Motorsport. In his final year of karting in 2016, Piastri raced one full season with the established Waltham Abbey-based outfit. It was here he would claim his best results so far since traversing to Europe, notching a 6th place at the CIK-FIA World Championship, one of the most competitive events in the global karting ladder. More importantly, his racecraft matured significantly during this period, setting the tone for his rise through the junior formulas.

Transition to Junior Formula:

Source: Formula Scout

Having mastered his craft in karting, the next logical step for the karting prodigy would be to take his talents to open-wheel racing, marking the beginning of his driver development journey on the motorsport ladder. By the age of 16, Piastri made his official single-seater debut at select rounds of the Formula 4 UAE Championship. Despite not competing in the full season, he managed to bag two podiums and finish sixth in the overall standings, which is higher than some of the full-time drivers in that series!

The following year of 2017, Piastri headed back to the UK to compete in the British F4 championship, one of the most competitive Formula 4 series’. Having competed the full season, the 17-year old Aussie managed to snag 6 wins en route to a runner-up finish in the series. Considering it was his first full season in the series, the results make it all the more impressive. The consistency and precision he developed during his karting years translated smoothly into his single-seater racecraft.

Following an impressive outing at the Formula 4 level, Piastri moved up to the Formula Renault Eurocup the following year. He spent two full seasons in the series, which has long been regarded as a proving ground for rising talents. The former karting prodigy held his own from the start, finishing 8th overall in his rookie campaign. Choosing to return for a second season, Piastri dominated the field and ultimately captured the championship—his first major title in open-wheel racing. It was during this period that he also met esteemed racer and former F1 winner Mark Webber, who became his manager—a role he continues to hold to this day. With each step, Piastri moved further up the motorsport ladder while steadily refining his identity as a complete driver.

Junior Formula Domination Rapid Rise:

Source: Motorsport Australia

Before taking the next hurdle in the motorsport ladder, opportunity came calling for Piastri as he became a member of the Renault Junior Team. The French outfit’s support proved pivotal in funding his junior career as he progressed through the ranks. Renault’s (Now Alpine) investment in Piastri shows just how much potential the young Aussie has and how much he was born for the big stage.

Hungry for more after his outstanding Formula Renault Eurocup stint, Piastri climbed the next rung of the motorsports ladder by teaming up with Prema Racing for his first and only Formula 3 season. With strong machinery at his disposal, the karting prodigy was poised for success. Throughout this season, Piastri was engrossed in a three-way battle for the title which includes notable names such as Théo Pourchaire and former F1 driver Logan Sargeant. Unfazed by the pressure, the Aussie pulled through with a strong season to clinch the F3 title by just three points! The blend of tactical patience and aggressive moves when needed which are skills rooted in his karting racecraft ultimately gave him the edge when it mattered most.

With momentum on his side, Piastri stepped onto the penultimate rung of the motorsport ladder, Formula 2. Now being 20 years of age, the Aussie speedster was a perfect blend of speed and maturity. Now set for his toughest challenge yet, Piastri kept calm and composed even in the most pressure-filled moments. Once again aligned with the Prema Racing outfit, Piastri carved out yet another impressive season. Claiming 6 wins and 11 podiums, Piastri became Formula 2 champion in dominant fashion. Having achieved this result, the once karting prodigy officially nabbed his third straight open-wheel title, marking a rapid rise which made him stand out as a strong F1 prospect. In addition, the FIA also recognized his efforts, awarding the Aussie with Rookie of the Year honors which is a fitting milestone in a driver development arc built on dedication and polish.

Formula 1 Breakthrough:

Source: Drive

As mentioned earlier, Piastri was a part of the Renault Junior Team. However, after a contract dispute, the speedy racer jumped ship to McLaren where he would kickstart his Formula 1 career. It was not the smoothest of starts as the Woking-based team struggled at the first round of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship in Bahrain. However, adversity is nothing new for Piastri, which he showed as he gradually found his footing at the team.

It wouldn’t take long before Piastri started seeing success at the pinnacle of motorsport. In just his rookie season, Piastri scored his first podium in Japan, which he immediately followed up with a runner-up finish in Qatar. His second season in Formula 1 also displayed signs of greatness, claiming his first pole at the Chinese Grand Prix before breaking through and winning for the first time in Formula 1 in Hungary.

Now, the experienced Aussie is currently in his third year of Formula 1 with his chances of winning a title higher than ever before. Locking horns with his teammate Lando Norris throughout the season, Piastri has often bested his papaya teammate. As of writing, Piastri is leading the championship, albeit by a slim margin. However, if his junior career is anything to go off, it's that Piastri improves and grows with experience. Having now two full seasons in F1 under his belt and a multitude of experience starting from karting training to mastering the junior formulas, he has all the tools to become world champion.

Lessons From The Champion:

Source: My Sport Live

Oscar Piastri’s journey to Formula 1 is more than just a tale of talent. Rather, it’s a blueprint for what it takes to succeed at the highest level. His early karting experience laid the foundation for the composure, consistency, and adaptability he now displays in Formula 1. From his very first laps at Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club to the world championship podiums, every step of his journey carries valuable lessons for aspiring racers and motorsport fans alike.

One key takeaway is the importance of mastering the basics early. Karting gave Piastri the raw tools of racecraft: wheel-to-wheel combat, reading track conditions, and developing that sixth sense for overtaking. These core skills, refined over countless laps, are what allowed him to shine even as the machinery and stakes grew higher. 

Another lesson lies in resilience through adversity. When Piastri moved to Europe to pursue karting full-time, results didn’t come instantly. The competition was fiercer, the tracks unfamiliar, and the pressure immense. But rather than fold, he dug deep, learned from the struggle, and used it as motivation.

Finally, Piastri’s rise is a lesson in making every opportunity count. Whether it was his single season in Formula 3 or stepping up to F2 with Prema, he maximized his chances. Karting instilled that competitive edge, teaching him that every race could be the difference-maker. It’s a mindset that has carried him all the way to fighting for wins in Formula 1.

In many ways, Piastri is proof that karting is more than just a starting point, it’s the crucible where champions are forged. His story reminds us that with consistency, courage, and an unshakable focus on growth, even a kid from Oakleigh can become a star on motorsport’s biggest stage.

Championship Success with Kart Class

To elevate your go-kart racing career to the next level, Kart Class has your back! Under the tutelage of a multi-time race winner and Australian kart champion David Sera, a variety of training programs are in store for you. 

With the help of Kart Class’ Champions Club Program, you will be able to find and unlock your potential behind the wheel. Over six months, receive expert guidance on braking, race starts, wet conditions, and mental strength. Coupled with invaluable advice from seasoned professionals, this program will help you achieve success similar to that of Oscar Piastri!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What karting championships did Piastri race in?

• Piastri raced in top-level Australian and European karting events. Highlights include the IAME International Final and the CIK-FIA World Championship.

2. When did Oscar Piastri start karting?

• He began karting at age 10 at Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club in Melbourne. Within two years, he had already won his first championship.

3. Is go-karting similar to F1?

• Yes. While the machines are very different, the fundamentals of racecraft, strategy, and precision driving are the same. Karting builds the skills F1 drivers rely on.

4. Is karting really the first step to becoming an F1 driver?

• It is. Karting is the base of the motorsport ladder, where young racers get early driver development and go-kart coaching before moving to the junior formulas.