Piastri Honored with Wasp Naming

Oscar Piastri, who just barely missed securing his first F1 World Drivers’ Championship last season, received an unusual honor that sets him apart from other drivers: a prehistoric wasp named in his honor.

This wasp, preserved in amber from Myanmar, was recently detailed in a research paper. Interestingly, it has been officially designated as “Gwesped piastrii,” reflecting Piastri’s achievements in Formula 1.

The article notes, “The species name honors Oscar Piastri’s F1 accomplishments, as the amber color reminded the first author of McLaren’s iconic orange.” The wasp’s description aims to enhance understanding of the variety within its genus.

Piastri learned about this news during his time off leading up to the Monaco Grand Prix, and it’s clear he was excited about this unique recognition. I mean, who wouldn’t be, right?

While it’s fun to imagine him racing against this wasp and winning the championship, the whole situation is still a rather cool twist for him. It might even mark a turning point in a season that hasn’t exactly gone smoothly for him.

The year began on a rough note for the 25-year-old, missing the start in the first two Grands Prix held in Australia and China. Since then, it’s been a mixed bag—he’s managed podium finishes in Japan and Miami but faced challenges, like finishing 11th in Canada just last weekend. This wasn’t entirely his fault; the team made a risky choice by starting on intermediate tires, which turned out poorly.

Moreover, he had a bit of trouble at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where he collided with Alex Albon’s car at the infamous hairpin, resulting in a time penalty. So yeah, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for Piastri this season.