When new drivers enter Formula 1, they are usually the ones on the grid with the least pressure upon them.
There are some notable exceptions. Mick Schumacher, for example, had the weight of his surname on his shoulders as everyone expected him to show his father's talent. But generally a driver's rookie season is one for them to get used to the sport, with any extra successes beyond that prime directive seen as a bonus.
Given what has happened over the course of the last month, Oscar Piastri might have more pressure on his shoulders than any rookie in F1 history when he takes to the track with McLaren for the first time next March.
It was only a matter of time until he got his shot in the sport. His Formula 2 success last year was his third world title in a row, and engineers were raving about one of the most complete young drivers to rise through the ranks in quite some time.
So there was some surprise when he was left off the grid in 2022, forced to spend a year as a reserve at Alpine. That was the team that helped to support his career in the support series', and the one preparing to finally offer him his F1 debut.
But of course he and his manager Mark Webber had other plans. By the time Fernando Alonso announced his departure and Alpine tried to make Piastri his replacement at the start of August, he had already decided that his future laid elsewhere.
FIA documents show the Aussie signed a deal with McLaren on July 4, a day after the British Grand Prix. Another month would pass before Alpine became aware that he had decided to leave, after which point the whole situation descended into chaos.
Alpine felt they had the paperwork in place to keep hold of Piastri. But despite that, team chief Otmar Szafnauer was not afraid to question the racer's integrity after going behind the Enstone outfit's back to join their midfield rivals.
But it should be noted that, at the time Piastri signed with McLaren, Alpine were still trying to convince Alonso to extend his stay. Their plan was to make the F2 champion wait in the wings for another year, or at best be loaned to Williams for the 2023 season.
And so Piastri took his future into his own hands and did what he felt was best to make sure he was racing for a competitive team at the earliest opportunity. And after the Contracts Recognition Board ruled in McLaren's favour, some might say he has done the right thing for his own ambitions in the end.
But as Jenson Button – another driver who sparked a legal battle during his own racing career – questioned, is this really the right time for Piastri to be making enemies within F1? His talent and potential are unquestionable, but if he burns too many bridges at this stage, he could come to regret it later in his career.
In any case, he is now confirmed on the 2023 grid, competing alongside and against Lando Norris. That itself is not an easy task – just ask Daniel Ricciardo – as he comes into a team that has very much built its own future around the young Brit who is seen as a future F1 world champion.
Piastri has also been given that label in the past after his success in the feeder series, but now he has to prove he is worthy of the hype. That was going to be difficult enough, and now he has heaped a load of extra pressure upon his own shoulders.
Let's hope for his sake he is able to withstand it.
