Skip to main content

Oscar Piastri reveals the secrets behind his F1 success: training, mindset, and more

How Optimum Nutrition impacts Piastri's performance

mclaren f1 oscar piastri on announcement 05 edited ezgif com resize
Optimum Nutrition / Optimum Nutrition

There is no denying that the McLaren Formula 1 racing team needs to be on top of their game both physically and mentally to perform. Racing can be a challenging sport that requires endurance and mental sharpness, as anything can happen on the track. And no one knows that better than Oscar Piastri. A true winner when it comes to racing, Piastri is taking things to the next level by working on improving his health. We had the pleasure of speaking with him to get insight into his career, his mental and physical fitness routine, and the secrets to his success.

The path to F1 stardom

Oscar Piastri
Optimum Nutrition / Optimum Nutrition

A two-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, Piastri credits his team with a lot of his success.

Recommended Videos

I feel like I’ve definitely improved in a few areas from last year, and that’s made a difference, of course,” he says. “A lot of credit has to be given to the team because I haven’t transformed myself from the worst to the best; it’s been largely down to the car. Of course, I’ve made my own improvements along the way, but as a team, we’ve really taken a lot of steps forward, and now we’re in a championship-winning position, which is very exciting.

Piastri explained that while he’d always hoped to be an F1 driver, he never expected to win races so early. “Even 12 months ago, I didn’t really think I’d be winning races; it came a bit quicker than I expected. Of course, you always hope for the best, but I know some people would never get the chance to win an F1. And for a lot of people, it doesn’t happen for five or six years or even longer. So it’s been really special to have that already in my second year,” he says. 

F1 training regimen

While physical fitness is important for F1 drivers, mental fitness is as well. In order to remain at the top level of a sport, you need confidence, and you need to know how to stay sharp and focused before, during, and after a race. For some drivers, meditation or mindfulness practices are key to their routine. So how does Piastri stay focused?

“I definitely think trying to relax after the races is important, as well as trying not to overthink during your time off,” he says. That can be easier said than done since it’s “natural to overanalyze things sometimes and overthink.”

“Part of what ultimately makes us so competitive as drivers is going into every single detail, but identifying where the limit is of that and knowing when you’re overdoing it and actually harming what you’re trying to achieve is very important,” Piastri says.

He notes that he doesn’t necessarily have a specific regimen. “I’m sure every driver has their own things that they do to keep their mind sharp. For me, it is just about identifying the things I want to work on but then not dwelling on them and letting that turn into a negative thing,” he says. “It’s just identifying the areas for improvement and surrounding them in a positive light rather than a negative light.”

Piastri says that due to both his personality and the nature of his F1 career — moving to the other side of the world — he’s learned to be independent, but the team does deserve credit when it comes to maintaining a healthy mentality.

I do get help or coaching with stuff like that,” he says. “The team also has a massive support network at McLaren, and having wellness and the human side of things at the forefront of our performance is very important to us. It’s a very team-wide kind of initiative, let’s say.”

Staying physically fit

Oscar Piastri
Optimum Nutrition / Optimum Nutrition

How does Piastri maintain his physical fitness? McLaren Racing has partnered with, Optimum Nutrition to support the drivers, pit crew, and wider team when it comes to looking after their well-being in all aspects of their daily lives. Because of this partnership, the team has access to a range of sports nutrition products and a state-of-the-art health and fitness center at MTC that the two companies recently launched together. “With Optimum Nutrition, specifically, it’s very focused on the human side of things,” Piastri says.

And he doesn’t just mean for the drivers. In this aspect as well, F1 is truly a team sport. “For myself, trying to keep my protein intake up is important. We, as drivers, have a pretty good life compared to the mechanics, especially when they’re building the whole car on a Wednesday, and the garage is often very hot. They have to fix it every time we crash it, as well as do the numerous pit stops. So, for those guys in particular, it’s very, very important that their bodies are in the best shape that they can be,” he says. “That’s where partnerships like Optimum Nutrition are really beneficial — not just for us as drivers but for the whole team and the whole team’s performance.”

When it comes to his diet, Piastri notes that he’s extremely strict on race weekends. “Before a race, every lunchtime, I have pasta with tomato sauce and chicken. I have it every time because it’s safe, it’s got all the stuff I need in there, and it tastes good,” he says. “But you know, we always try to mix it up a bit — you’ve obviously got to hit your macro numbers and make sure you’re staying on top of all your vitamins through veggies and fruit. All the traveling takes so much out of your body, so it’s important to stay replenished. Also, everywhere we go, we try to add either a local twist to it or just experience local food. I really like Italian and Japanese food.”

As for his exercise routine Piastri notes that “a typical training day is one session of strength work and one of cardio, whether that’s running, on a bike, or just playing a sport like tennis.”

One exercise F1 drivers have to think about that other athletes don’t are neck exercises. “I think the only [exercise] that is unconventional for most athletes is my neck workouts. I use a neck harness or resistance bands; there are a whole bunch of ways you can do it. Training your neck is not a very common training exercise. So that’s probably the only one that’s a bit left field,” he says.

“The toughest thing is trying to be consistent because we’re traveling so much,” Piastri continues. “So, taking the opportunity when you can is the most important part. It’s not like most other sports where you get a really good amount of time working on the specifics. A really good training block for us is when we get a few weeks in the off-season. Otherwise, we’re pretty much trying to fit in a day or two here and there when we can for nine months of the year. It’s it’s pretty tough.”

Piastri notes that getting used to the time differences, the jet lag, and the different environments all contribute to the struggle. “There are certainly days when you don’t want to do it. And, you know, especially after a race, like the Monday after a race, you don’t really want to do anything. But it’s important because if you give up multiple Mondays worth of training, it all adds up very quickly,” he says. (And that’s where that mental fitness comes in.)

Christine VanDoren
Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her…
F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix payment plans now available
Payment plans for the Las Vegas Grand Prix are available until April 30
LVGP starting grid view in the East Harmon Zone from the Heineken Silver Main Grandstand.

The 2025 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, November 20-22, promises to be an even bigger celebration than the races in 2023 and 2024. The newly announced five-month payment plans offer new options to fans who plan to attend the LVGP but have held off buying their tickets due to cost. The current payment plans are only available until April 30, so don't delay.
LVGP payment plan availability
Track view at the LVGP from the East Harmon Grandstand Courtesy of Las Vegas Grand Prix

Formula 1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix are offering interest-free payment plans through August 15, 2025. Payment plans are available for general admission, grandstands, hospitality packages, and Grand Prix Trio packages, which offer a combination of viewing options for the three-day event.
2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix payment plan options
LVGP Hospitality at the Paddock Club with a pit lane view Courtesy of Las Vegas Grand Prix

Read more
F1 Karting opening at F1 Drive in Las Vegas: tickets available now
The 1,696 foot-long F1 Drive track is designed to test drivers its 31 turns.
F1 karting on F1 Drive at Grand Prix Plaza in Las Vegas.

Tickets are now available for the May 2 opening of Grand Prix Plaza, when  Formula 1 fans can race F1 Karts at F1 Drive. The F1 Drive karting track, a feature attraction of Grand Prix Plaza, runs through F1 team pit garages and directly on part of the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix race track.
F1 Drive F1 Karting tickets available now

F1 Drive tickets, on sale at Grand Prix Plaza, are available in three packages: Mixed Grid, Elite Experience, and Fastest Lap. A VIP Ad-On experience is also available as an upgrade to the Mixed Grid and Elite Experience packages. The minimum height for all packages is 58 inches.

Read more
2025 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results: drama at the first turn
Piastri looks like the driver with the best chance of defeating Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
Oscar Piastri is victorious at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

F1 McLaren driver Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Piastri's third victory of the season places him at the top of the Driver Championship standings.

At this point, Piastri looks like the driver with the best chance of ending Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's run of four consecutive Championships. Piastri's McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, was previously considered Verstappen's greatest threat.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix podium winners

Read more