WATCH: Relive rookie sensation Oscar Piastri’s stunning Sprint race win at Qatar GP 2023

As Formula 1 returns to Qatar this week for the penultimate race of the 2024 season, it’s a perfect moment to revisit a thrilling milestone from last year’s event. The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix saw a rookie rise to the occasion as Oscar Piastri claimed his first-ever Sprint victory with McLaren at the Lusail International Circuit. It was a landmark achievement in only his 17th Formula 1 outing, cementing the Australian’s status as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

Here is the video:

since qatar is next… remember when oscar piastri won his first race as a rookie 🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/QZQoXf0G0z

— dea (@junopiastri) November 24, 2024

The Sprint weekend in Qatar delivered drama and excitement, with McLaren showcasing their growing prowess. Piastri and teammate Lando Norris dominated the Sprint shootout, securing a front-row lockout for the Woking-based team. Piastri narrowly edged out Norris by just 0.082 seconds to take pole, capitalizing on a crucial error from the Briton in the final corner.

Norris’s troubles didn’t end there. Starting from the dirty side of the grid, he struggled for traction, allowing George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen to swoop past by Turn 2. Meanwhile, Piastri faced intense pressure at the front, particularly from Russell, who was on the grippier soft tyres compared to Piastri’s mediums.

A remarkable comeback by Piastri!

Russell surged into the lead by Lap 3, but a safety car brought out by Logan Sargeant’s spin erased his advantage. On the restart, Piastri displayed remarkable composure, holding off Sainz’s soft-tyred Ferrari while biding his time to reclaim the lead. When the soft tyres began to fade, Piastri capitalized, using DRS to glide past Russell on Lap 11.

Another safety car, caused by Sergio Perez’s Red Bull getting beached in gravel, threatened to disrupt Piastri’s charge. But the rookie was unflappable, defending skillfully against a resurgent Russell and building a lead that Verstappen, despite his late efforts, couldn’t overcome.

Piastri’s Sprint triumph marked a dream weekend, with the young Australian also securing second place in the main race. Reflecting on his performance, he said, “To get my first pole and first Sprint win here is something really special. The team’s hard work is paying off.”