Piastri leads tributes for the ‘Australian spirit’ of F1 compatriot
Oscar Piastri has led the tributes to Australia’s last Formula 1 world champion, Alan Jones, following the trailblazer’s death on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix, Piastri reflected on his compatriot’s legacy, describing it as a “life that should be very well celebrated.”
Oscar Piastri led tributes for 1980 world champion Alan Jones. Buda Mendes
“I think it’s obviously a very sad day. I think [he was] a guy that obviously had a lot of success on the racetrack and was Australia’s most recent world champion,” Piastri said.
“But I think also the person he was, you know, a very straightforward person, straight to the point.
“On a personal level as well, he often had nice things to say about me, which was nice.
“I’ve had the honour to drive his world championship-winning car as well, so [it was] very cool to be able to experience that and connect with him in some kind of way.
“A sad day, but a day that should celebrate a great life.”
Jones was the 1980 drivers’ champion and had recently celebrated his 80th birthday three days before he died following a short battle with illness.
He was just the second Australian, after Sir Jack Brabham, to win the title when he triumphed for Williams.
“Obviously he was a long, long time before me, and I never had much interaction with Alan,” Piastri continued.
“But I think in a lot of ways, he kind of embodied the Australian spirit – very tough, saying it how it is, saying what he thinks, and I think that’s probably the biggest thing.
“Anyone that’s won a world championship in F1 has clearly achieved it through talent, hard work, all kinds of other things, so I think that probably says enough.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed Piastri’s sentiments, sharing a heartfelt tribute on social media.
Brown noted that the Aussie’s iconic victory at Long Beach in 1981 sparked his “lifelong love” of motorsport, a passion that eventually led to him owning Jones’ championship-winning car.
Jones was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and granted ‘legend’ status in the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2019.
As the race weekend got underway at Interlagos, recently-crowned champion Kimi Antonelli set the pace in the second practice session on Saturday morning.
Wearing a helmet inspired by his Brazilian hero and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, Antonelli was 0.253 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third, only 0.007 behind Norris. Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth as Piastri came home fifth fastest.
The Australian handed over his McLaren seat in FP1 to youngster Leonardo Fornaroli, so the team could tick off their mandatory rookie sessions with the reigning Formula 2 champion.
