Australian Oscar Piastri claimed the 2021 Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship after finishing third in the weekend’s opening race in the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. PHOTO: Alpine F1 Team

December 12, 2021

AUSTRALIAN Oscar Piastri has secured the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship, confirming his place among Formula 1’s latest crop of elite young talent. 

The 20-year-old has now claimed three consecutive drivers’ championships adding to his Formula Renault Eurocup title in 2019 and the FIA Formula 3 Championship last year.

Piastri joins an elite club of drivers – including George Russell and Charles Leclerc – to have won back-to-back Formula 3 (GP3) and Formula 2 titles.

The Melburnian said his drive to third place in the weekend’s opening sprint race was one of his” better races”, clinching the championship.

“I’m certainly pleased with that, but I’m sure this feeling of being champion will take a while to sink in.” Piastri said.

“There are two more races to go this weekend, which we need to focus on, but right now it feels incredibly special to be champion. 

“Thanks to all the team at Prema for their work throughout the season and to Alpine for their support, let’s finish the season in style.”

The champ has been a revelation in Formula 2 this year and has enjoyed a stellar campaign with five wins, five pole positions and 227.5 points in his rookie season so far. 

He clinched the championship in the opening Sprint Race of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after finishing a superb third from tenth on the reverse grid on Saturday.

Consistency has been key to Piastri’s success in 2021. He began the season brightly with a win at the opening round in Bahrain before back to back podiums on the streets of Monaco. 

He added a further podium with second place in Baku and then laid down the gauntlet to his competitors in the series with five consecutive pole positions – equalling Leclerc’s effort in 2017 – at the final five rounds.

Piastri remained in dominant form in the feature races with third place at Silverstone, and three consecutive victories at Monza, Sochi and Jeddah.

A member of Alpine’s Academy, last month Piastri was named Alpine’s Formula 1 reserve driver next season, while fellow Academy driver — and third place in the F2 championship — Guanyou Zhou was promoted into the last available seat on the 2022 Formula 1 grid with Alfa Romeo.

Piastri, will step into his new offical role at the young drivers test day scheduled after this weekend’s grand prix at the Yas Marina Circuit.