Unlike Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri continues to rely on the simulator to prepare for his Grands Prix. The Australian embraces this difference in approach.
The simulator has become an essential tool in the operation of Formula 1 teams. However, not all drivers place the same trust in it. While Lewis Hamilton recently explained that he preferred to do without it after feeling misled by the data obtained, Oscar Piastri takes a very different stance.
The McLaren driver considers the simulator a valuable tool to prepare for race weekends, especially with the complexity of the cars introduced in 2026.
For the Australian, this divergence with the seven-time world champion can notably be explained by a difference in generation and training.
Piastri continues to believe in the simulator
Simulators have held an important place for many years in the work done at the factory. They allow teams to prepare setups, study the behavior of the car, and anticipate certain characteristics of a circuit even before the start of free practice.
However, some drivers choose to use them more than others.
Lewis Hamilton had indicated earlier in the season that he no longer wished to rely on this tool after feeling that the information gathered did not sufficiently correspond to the reality on track.
Piastri does not share this mistrust.
“Personally, I find the simulator useful. I also grew up in a different generation than the one in which Lewis was trained.”
The Australian nevertheless acknowledges that this tool does not necessarily suit all drivers.
“Simulators have obviously existed for a long time, but I completely understand that they are not suitable for everyone.”
Cars have become particularly complex
For Piastri, the characteristics of current cars make virtual work particularly interesting.
Read more Lewis Hamilton can he win an eighth title? An F1 legend believes in the scenario
The new generation of cars introduced this season requires drivers to manage many parameters, notably related to the operation of the power unit and energy management.
“With the current cars, which are extremely complex, I find that spending time in the simulator is quite useful, both for me and for the team.”
The McLaren driver therefore believes that virtual sessions can save time before arriving at a circuit, without claiming to perfectly reproduce the sensations of the real car.
“It will never replace the real car”
On this point, Piastri partly shares the reservations expressed by Hamilton. As sophisticated as it is, a simulator will always have certain limits.
“Everyone works differently. A simulator will never be perfect and will never be a completely infallible tool.”
Above all, nothing can truly replace the experience gained behind the wheel.
“It will never be as effective as driving the real car.”
Piastri ultimately believes that each driver must choose the method that best suits their needs.
“You have to work with the tools you have. And if you consider that you are better without using them, then you can also decide to do without.”
Two different approaches that also illustrate the evolution of Formula 1. Where Hamilton built much of his experience at a time when the simulator held a less central place, Piastri’s generation grew up with these virtual tools as an integral part of driving preparation.
Read more Red Bull heavily criticized: «Too many basic problems» since the start of the season