Oscar Piastri’s Diverse Ancestry and the Concept of Home Races

The Chinese Grand Prix made a triumphant return to the Formula 1 calendar after a five-year hiatus, much to the excitement of drivers and fans alike. While local hero Zhou Guanyu was thrilled to race in his home Grand Prix for the first time, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri found a special connection with the Chinese fans through his lineage.

The Australian driver, proud to carry the Australian badge, shared on social media about his great-grandfather’s Chinese origins, making the Chinese Grand Prix his 1/16th home race. Piastri’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) showcased his weekend in China, from fans cheering for him to the action on the track, and even excursions away from the race.

However, Piastri’s repeated flaunting of his 1/16th Chinese heritage became a comedic trope among fans, with some jokingly wondering which upcoming Grand Prix he would declare as his home race next. With Italian roots in his ancestry, fans speculated if Imola and Monza would be next on the list.

Despite the excitement surrounding his diverse heritage, the Chinese Grand Prix weekend did not go as planned for Piastri on the track. While his car showed promise in longer corners, he failed to capitalize on it, finishing the Sprint in P7 and the main race in P8, behind his teammate Lando Norris who secured a podium finish.

Looking ahead, Piastri will have the opportunity to claim more home races with Formula 1 heading to Miami for the first of three American races, followed by Imola for the start of the European leg of the racing calendar. With his unique background, Piastri’s journey in F1 promises to be an exciting one as he continues to embrace his diverse heritage on and off the track.