MOTOR RACING: New buzz in F1: ancient wasp species named after Piastri

LONDON — A newly discovered species of wasp dating from the time of the dinosaurs and found preserved in Burmese amber has been named after McLaren Formula One driver Oscar Piastri.

A research article in the June issue of the academic journal Palaeoworld named the insect, found in northern Myanmar and dating from the mid-Cretaceous period, as Gwesped piastrii.

"The specific epithet honors Mr. Oscar Piastri for his achievements in Formula One, and because the color of the amber piece recalled to the first author the iconic McLaren orange," the article explained.

The Cretaceous period ended 65 million years ago.

Piastri, 25, made his Formula One debut in 2023 and has won nine Grands Prix.

The Australian, currently attending the Isle of Man TT races during a weekend off before the June 7 Monaco Grand Prix, has yet to comment on the accolade.

-Reporting by Alan Baldwin; editing by Clare Fallon/Reuters