In the second part of this feature series, Oscar talks us through his racing beginnings and takes us back to some of his earliest memories, as we get the lowdown on OP’s racing background.

Can you remember your first racing t-shirt/cap/poster?

It was a Holden Racing Team jacket that I got when I was little. I’d say I was probably five or six and I think I received it as a present. I remember that it didn’t really fit me that well but I demanded to wear it all the same. In fact, there was a period when I wasn’t seen without it. I wasn’t one for posters or anything, but that jacket was special.

Did you watch a lot of racing on TV as a youngster?

Whenever there was racing on, I would be glued to it. From an early age, I kept fully updated with it all and it was part of my routine. There’s an interest in motorsport and the automotive industry more generally on both sides of my family so it was just a natural progression for me to follow it all.

Because of the time difference out in Australia, I watched a lot of the F1 races on record the next day after school. Of them all, I’d say one that stands out is Jenson Button’s win in Canada in 2011. I managed to avoid learning the result until I sat down to watch it and it was amazing to watch him fight through the field.

My other most vivid memories are of watching the V8s on TV and then running into the back yard and hearing them going around. That sound stays with you.

Any standout liveries?

As you can tell from my helmet design, I’m a fan of fluorescent yellow here and there. Growing up, I was a fan of the Brawn cars with the yellow tint that I think was pretty eye-catching.

I also liked the Vodafone McLarens. They had a unique design and so, it’s cool when I head into MTC to be able to look at those cars close up on the boulevard.

Describe your first race suit/gloves/helmet…

My first race suit was actually given to me by someone else. It was red and white and what I wore to go zooming around in my Fernando Alonso kart. It didn’t take me long to get my own pair of gloves and my first helmet was plain white. Over the years I switched to red and blue and added in the yellow. My first trophies were ones in remote-control racing and I used to have them in my bedroom. I think they are in a box now.

What were the moments that made you as a racer?

A big one was the 2014 IAME X30 world finals at Le Mans. It was my first international race and I started 21st on the grid before finishing third. I only found out afterwards that that race was the basis of my Dad’s decision for me to pursue the F1 dream or not.

Another key moment was a few people in the RC community encouraging me to have a go at karting. I can remember the first time I tried it and loved it - I barely needed an invitation. The RC community had a great spirit and we met some great people.

It also took me about a year or so to get my first win in karting. I started comparatively late compared to other drivers but just kept chipping away and so, getting that first win over the line was even sweeter.

What are your racing travel essentials?

The first things in the bag are usually my headphones, laptop, Quad Lock phone chargers and some power adaptors. I’ve obviously got my clothes, a couple of pairs of shoes and then probably, most importantly, my warm-up kit like my foam roller which you may have seen me walking into the paddock with.

I tend to travel as light as I can just to make all the travel and lugging things around as stress-free as possible.

Lastly, have you ever had any funny/embarrassing moments on your racing travels?

The funniest thing I’ve heard (and it did not involve me) was one of the teams filling up the shower head in the bathroom of one of their engineers with salt and pepper which meant he got rather a shock.

I think my most embarrassing moment was ages ago in junior racing. My teammate and I assumed we would have a ride organised to the track but an hour before the session we were still at the hotel sat in reception. We ended up having to get a taxi but got there just in time.