BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 18, 2023--

Much like most of the scenarios thrown up on his journey to the top echelons of motorsport, Oscar Piastri takes everything consummately in his stride. Strikingly level-headed and rational – notwithstanding an unflappable self-belief in his ability behind the wheel – a week which started with the 22-year-old signing a new contract with McLaren until the end of 2026 ended with his first podium in Formula 1 at Suzuka. It was quite a few days for the rookie Australian, whose meteoric rise through the ranks shows no signs of subsiding. What’s more, it was a weekend that fully justified Piastri’s bold a year ago, when the soap opera of his first forays into Formula 1 dominated the paddock. It was a storyline of dreams for Netflix’s Drive to Survive producers when Piastri, a test driver at Alpine, rebuked the Enstone-based team who’d announced his 2023 drive as a replacement for Fernando Alonso. We would later learn that the 2021 F2 champion had already penned a deal to join McLaren, with Zak Brown and the papaya targeting fresh blood following Daniel Ricciardo’s season of underachievement. It was a line of attack which carried much risk. Alpine beat McLaren to fourth in the constructors’ championship last year and many onlookers saw the switch as unwise from a competitive viewpoint. More pointedly, though, the impact it would have on Piastri’s moral standing in the sport was something emphasised by then Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer. The Renault-works outfit had invested millions of pounds into Piastri’s development, with countless test opportunities and financial backing through the junior series. But Piastri, managed by nine-time race winner and fellow Australian Mark Webber, was undeterred. He was set to be overlooked by Alpine for 2023 before Alonso’s surprise switch to Aston Martin and, feeling undervalued, he went on the search for other options fully aware he could ill-afford another season on the sidelines after not racing in 2022. A loan to Williams was on the table but McLaren, an eight-time constructors’ champion and giant of the sport despite their recent struggles, was his preference. The start was not smooth, though. McLaren acknowledged at the start of the year that they had not met their off-season development targets and the mood at the car launch at their impressive Woking HQ in February was decidedly pessimistic. Piastri’s F1 debut, in Bahrain, ended in retirement. But those early shortcomings were no fault of Piastri, despite a year on the sidelines. It is one of the more questionable rules of Formula 2 that the winner then cannot race in the series the next year, often leaving the champion in the wilderness. Brazilian racer Felipe Drugovich, last year’s champion, has acted as a reserve this year for Aston Martin and is struggling to find an F1 seat next year, though Williams has recently been mooted. This year’s F2 leader, Theo Pouchaire, is a test driver with Alfa Romeo but now looks set for a year without racing in 2024. It would make sense, it seems, to offer an exception should the champion not land a seat at the top table. Nonetheless, after scoring his first points following his home race at Albert Park, Piastri had to wait until Austria in July for a raft of game-changing upgrades which handed him and Lando Norris a shot at regular top-10 finishes. He has since scored in five of the last seven races, as well as a second-place finish in the sprint race in Belgium. Enough for McLaren to swiftly extend his deal. “It’s always nice to have a sense of security,” said Piastri. “It made sense from my point of view and from a team point of view. That longevity and continuation together – [it’s] nice confidence for us all.” It continues the Melbourne local’s meteoric ascent. He landed a junior role at Alpine, formerly Renault, by winning the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019. A year later, he won Formula 3 before his F2 victory in 2021. A decision at 15 years of age to relocate to the UK for his racing was reaping the rewards. Now, after a first podium following a front-row start at Suzuka, Piastri has emerged as genuine competition for Norris – long labelled the team’s No 1. “I think it exceeded most people’s expectations from what he’s been able to achieve already this season,” Norris said on Thursday, after Piastri penned his extension. “He’s pushed me a lot – it’s not a nice thing, it’s not what I want – but he’s done a very good job so congrats to him for [continuing for] another few years.” As the Brit hinted, the intra-team jousting is not something he has been used to in recent years. Crucially at this point, the pair get on well – both young, affable and with bundles of potential. But Piastri has emerged as a genuine rival to Norris at McLaren. The Brit’s regular links to the second seat at Red Bull, despite a contract at McLaren until the end of 2025, are likely to have accelerated Brown’s willingness to pin down Piastri. But should Norris stay, it is undoubtedly a driver pairing capable of race victories in the future, should they be given the tools to do so. In contrast to the start of 2023, it is now a time of much optimism for McLaren. The team signed ex-Red Bull chief Rob Marshall as their technical director in May. David Sanchez will join the engineering department in the new year from Ferrari. Andrea Stella, who replaced Andreas Seidl as team principal last year, works well in tandem with Brown. At this rate, they’re likely to haul in Aston Martin for fourth in the constructors’ championship too, with Alpine long left behind in sixth. “What!! So we are doing this for another 3 years???” comically tweeted Piastri’s mum, Nicole, after the new contract was announced last week. That looks set to be a minimum. Should Piastri’s progress continue at the current trajectory, the Australian will be in Formula 1 for a while longer yet. Read More Lando Norris claims McLaren on ‘an upward trend’ after double podium ‘Shocker of a race’: Christian Horner pulls apart Sergio Perez’s display in Japan Lewis Hamilton frustrated by Mercedes strategy in Japanese Grand Prix ‘Shocker of a race’: Christian Horner pulls apart Sergio Perez’s display in Japan Christian Horner reveals Max Verstappen ambition ahead of Japan victory F1 Japanese Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates and results at Suzuka

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Taylor Swift showed up for the 2023 MTV VMAs decked out in a stunning black gown with a thigh-high slit. On Tuesday 12 September, Swift, who is nominated for multiple awards, arrived on the pink carpet at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for the awards ceremony. For the occasion, she opted for a black, floor-length Versace dress with ruching and gold button details. She paired the look with multiple necklaces and a low updo. Fans were excited by Swift’s all-black ensemble, saying that it was Reputation inspired. One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “DJ please play dress by Taylor Swift (Reputation Taylor‘s version).” Someone else commented: “NO THOUGHTS JUST TAYLOR SWIFT IN A BLACK DRESS WITH A SLIT.” Tonight, the pop star is leading the 2023 VMA nominations with 11 noms, including three in social categories. Swift is up for Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for “Anti-Hero,” Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero,” Best Pop for “Anti-Hero,” Best Direction for “Anti-Hero,” Best Cinematography for “Anti-Hero,” Best Editing for “Anti-Hero,” and Best Visual Effects for “Anti-Hero.” At the 2022 VMAs, Taylor Swift showed up dripping in diamonds. That night, she notably took home the most awards at the VMAs. She won the Video of the Year, Best Long-Form Video, and Best Direction for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” Swift also made history that night as the first artist to win Video of the Year three times, a huge record to hold. Her other winning videos include “Bad Blood” and “You Need to Calm Down”. Read More 2023 MTV VMAs: The best-dressed stars on the red carpet, from Olivia Rodrigo to Doja Cat Taylor Swift and Ice Spice react with shock to NSYNC reunion at 2023 MTV VMAs Lance Bass gifts Taylor Swift friendship bracelets while presenting her award at VMAs: ‘Cutest thing ever’ Lance Bass gifts Taylor Swift friendship bracelets at VMAs: ‘Cutest thing ever’ Olivia Rodrigo shuts down rumours that she’s feuding with Taylor Swift Cardi B wears dress made entirely of hair clips on 2023 VMAs red carpet

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Ah, Amazon. The online retailer has become a necessary evil in our life for all those things we realize we need ASAP, from cleaning products to the elusive perfect-for-vacation 'fit...when the flight is in 48 hours. But in a world where everything can be yours in a few clicks (and brand names can sometimes just be a string of consonants with shady Photoshop), it can be hard to know which gadget is that can't-live-without-it buy and which is destined to become clutter after it fails to deliver. This is where we come in. We spend a lot of time looking for the highest-rated buys and best deals on Amazon, so we've learned a thing or two (and bought a thing or two) in the line of duty. From cute iPhone clear cases and Airpods cleaning tools to vibrator wands and toothbrush holders, these are the essential essentials R29 shopping editors have added to cart and are still loving. Click ahead to shop our editors' recently purchased must-haves from Amazon.

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