Ancient 100-million-year-old wasp ‘Gwesped piastrii’ named in honour of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri
One of the greatest achievements as an athlete is having a statue or place named after them in their honour.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, however, might be the first to ever claim a newly discovered ancient wasp as his namesake.
Scientists have officially named a prehistoric wasp species Gwesped piastrii after the Australian Formula 1 star.
Discovered as a fossil trapped in amber in Northern Myanmar, the ancient insect was named in honour of its striking colour, which resembles McLaren’s iconic papaya orange.
The Gwesped piastrii is a newly-discovered species that lived during the middle Cretaceous period, a time period more than 100 million years ago.
The scientific research article in Palaeoworld explained the naming decision.
“The specific epithet honours Mr Oscar Piastri for his achievements in Formula 1, and because the colour of the amber piece recalled to the first author the iconic McLaren orange,” the article explained.
The Australian driver apparently had no idea the announcement was coming, taking to Instagram to comment with a characteristically deadpan, “Wasn’t expecting that one.”
“I am a part of biological history,” said Piastri when asked about the wasp namesake in a McLaren social media video.
“It is pretty buzzing, yeah. I’m so excited I might sting someone.”
The Australian had a weekend to forget in Canada, finishing 11th after a tyre blunder and 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Alex Albon.
Piastri will next be on track at the Monaco Grand Prix, set for June 5-7, which kicks off the European leg of the Formula 1 season.
CRE: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2026-oscar-piastri-wasp-name-explanation-gwesped-piastrii-mclaren-papaya-colour-20260529-p601yb.html
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