We call Oscar Piastri the silent assassin, because his youthful looks and shy smile belie the inner steel and sheer determination of the soon-to-be 24 year-old as he goes into his third year in Formula One intent on becoming the third Australian world champion after the great Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained why Oscar Piastri was instructed to “hold position” when closing in on Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After getting by Max Verstappen on Lap 17, Piastri reeled Norris in with a series of fastest laps.

McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 a year ago, and the season ended with either Norris or Piastri on the top step of the podium in four of the fin