Oscar Piastri’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory appears to have been achieved under challenging circumstances, as the Australian driver has revealed he was racing with a fractured rib.
As the F1 season enters its mid-year break, teams and drivers are taking time to recharge before resuming action at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort later this month.
During this period, Piastri shared an X-ray image on social media that showed a fracture in his left rib. The X-ray, dated July 8, indicates the injury occurred just after he finished fourth at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Despite the injury, Piastri secured his first Grand Prix win in Hungary two weeks later, seemingly still affected by the fractured rib.
“First part of the season done. First GP victory. First broken bone. Rib’s enjoying the break,” Piastri commented on X (formerly Twitter).
He continued his impressive run with a second-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Strong Season Performance and Championship Standings
First part of the season done.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 11, 2024
First GP victory.
First broken bone.
Rib’s enjoying the break 💪 pic.twitter.com/xee5myxNTP
Piastri’s strong performances have propelled him to fourth place in the drivers’ championship, trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just 10 points and his teammate Lando Norris by 32 points. Championship leader Max Verstappen is currently 110 points ahead of Piastri.
McLaren is also in contention for the constructors’ championship, holding the second position behind Red Bull, with a 42-point gap.
Piastri has had a remarkable second year in F1, steadily closing the gap on his more experienced teammate Norris, who initially garnered significant attention for his early-season performances.
With 10 race weekends remaining in the 2024 season, the next event will be the Dutch Grand Prix from August 23-25.
