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Piastri to have F1 test in Abu Dhabi

Ed JacksonAAP
Australian young gun Oscar Piastri will complete an F1 test drive in the UAE next week.
Camera IconAustralian young gun Oscar Piastri will complete an F1 test drive in the UAE next week. Credit: AAP

Rising star Oscar Piastri will have his first official Formula 1 test drive next week in Abu Dhabi, hopefully with the Formula 2 championship in his back pocket.

The 20-year-old will take part in the end-of-season young driver test at the Yas Marina Circuit with a day behind the wheel of the race-winning A521 car driven this season by Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon.

"I'm very excited to drive in the young driver test," Piastri said.

"It's almost like my first official day in my new job for next year when I become the team's reserve driver.

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"Any day in an F1 car is pretty special but to drive the current one with other drivers on track in a somewhat competitive environment is very cool."

Before his test, Piastri heads into this weekend's final round of the F2 title race holding a near unassailable 51.5-point lead over his Prema Racing teammate Robert Shwartzman.

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Piastri extended his lead with a great performance at last weekend's event in Saudi Arabia, including his third-straight feature race win to make it five victories in his rookie season.

A maximum of 65 points are available across qualifying and the three races in Abu Dhabi this weekend and if Piastri wins the title, it'll be his third consecutive junior category title having also won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup Series and the 2020 F3 title.

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