AUSSIE F1 HOPEFUL OSCAR PIASTRI WINGING HIS WAY BACK TO EUROPE

MEDIA RELEASE/Oscar Piastri – Photo: supplied

Piastri granted official travel exemption to return to the UK and prepare for rescheduled FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing and Renault Sport Academy

Australian rising star Oscar Piastri has been granted an official travel exemption by the Australian Government and is now winging his way back to the United Kingdom.
 
Based in England for five years, Piastri returned home to Melbourne for sponsor commitments at the season-opening Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March only to be stranded by travel restrictions put in place due to the global pandemic.

“I came back for just Grand Prix week, and here I am two months later, finally leaving. It’s been unexpected for everyone, but I’ve made the most of the time with my family – it’s been good,” Piastri said.
 
“It’s been the longest stay I’ve had with my family for the last five years, so it’s been good to spend good quality time with my parents and sisters.”

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Winner of the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup and now a member of the prestigious Renault Sport Academy aligned with the Renault DP World F1 Team, Piastri is contesting this year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship for the title-winning Prema Racing.
 
The competitive F3 series runs in conjunction with its senior F1 counterpart. With the rescheduled F1 season expected to kick off with the Austrian Grand Prix in early July, Piastri is returning to his England base to prepare for racing.
 
The 19-year-old has kept himself race-ready with daily gym and simulator sessions.
 
“We’ve got a gym at home, so I’ve been training there. I’ve also been using the race simulator to keep sharp [behind the wheel]. I’ve been working hard and having some fun along the way too.

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 “With no real racing, a lot of the drivers have been jumping onto SIM racing, and it’s been good to virtually race a few guys I’ll be racing this year. Hopefully, I can settle a few of the battles on the real racetrack soon,” he said.
 
“We’re starting in Austria for what’s likely to be back-to-back race weekends, but we don’t actually know where the second round is yet, so we’ve just got to take it one race at a time and, hopefully, have a good start to the year.”
 
Piastri had been completing his school studies at Haileybury, near London. Still, final exams for his A-Levels – the UK’s equivalent to Australia’s VCE – have been cancelled due to the pandemic.
 
“I’m now officially finished with school, so getting [my studies] out of the way before the season started is probably an unexpected bonus from the pandemic for me.”
 
Once back in the UK, Piastri will resume his training program with the Renault Sport Academy in preparation for the F3 season start on 3-5 July weekend.

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