McLaren’s Oscar Piastri triumphs on the gravel in F1 and MotoGP crossover event.
One undeniable trait of contemporary Formula 1 drivers is their aversion to defeat. Whether it's the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, a session on their simulator, or a dirt buggy face-off against a MotoGP competitor, they’re always going to give it their all.
This competitive fire was vividly showcased when Quad Lock brought together McLaren's Oscar Piastri and MotoGP star Pedro Acosta for Young Guns Part 2. Swapping their high-end racing machines for matching Segway Super Villain off-road buggies, these two motorsport icons took to the Monti MX track on the French Riviera to resolve a dispute stemming from their initial go-karting encounter in 2024.
A four-wheeled safety net
While Piastri excelled in the earlier karting matchup on his home asphalt, the dirt course at Monti MX posed a completely different challenge. With towering jumps, deep ruts, and slick turns, one might assume Acosta - a man accustomed to managing 300-horsepower motorcycles - would have the upper hand.
Acosta indeed felt more at ease with the buggies' safety features compared to his standard two-wheeled machines.
"I feel overly secure. Like, if I flip, I won't hit my head on the ground, you know?" the MotoGP racer quipped, acknowledging that a four-point harness and rollcage are a significant improvement over a leather suit and helmet.
Piastri, in contrast, was simply relieved he didn’t have to maintain balance.
"I feel like the fact it's still on four wheels is a plus for me. The fact that it's on dirt, and that I've never driven on dirt... that’s not my forte," Piastri confessed before the race.
The grand prix finale
Hosted by adventure rider and television personality Charley Boorman, the event featured a sprint, a speed trap, and a concluding two-lap Grand Prix.
Piastri quickly demonstrated his ability to adapt, clinching victories in both the sprint and speed trap challenges. However, the true excitement arose during the final Grand Prix, where Acosta pushed the limits in an attempt to catch up.
"I made a mistake heading into the first hairpin, and then I was just trying to regain the time I lost, and I was close to disaster," Acosta laughed, recalling a nerve-wracking, high-speed jump. "I was really close to flipping the car over."
Meanwhile, Piastri showcased the composed and smooth driving style that has brought him nine F1 Grand Prix victories, maintaining his cool throughout. He crossed the finish line with a 1:53 lap time, outpacing Acosta's wild 1:54 effort to claim the overall Young Guns title.
What's next?
With Piastri emerging victorious, the logical question arises: how will these two competitors resolve the tiebreaker in a potential Young Guns Part 3?
Acosta, eager to equalize the competition, proposed that the simplest solution would be to put them both on two wheels next time. However, Piastri quickly dismissed any notions of him riding a dirt bike.
"I think McLaren won’t be thrilled if we go that route," Acosta joked, with Piastri adding, "No, I don't believe so," smiling as he preferred to keep his racing contract secure. "I am still open to a four-wheel challenge, but we’ll need to proceed with Young Guns Part 3 to see if I can win something,” Acosta concluded.
For now, the score is settled. If you’re curious to witness just how much air a MotoGP rider can catch in a side-by-side buggy before nearly rolling it, you can watch the full Young Guns 2 showdown on Quad Lock's YouTube channel.
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