Motor racing-New buzz in F1: ancient wasp species named after Piastri

LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - 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 academic journal Palaeoworld ‌named the ⁠insect, found in northern Myanmar and dating from the middle ⁠Cretaceous period, as 'Gwesped Piastrii'.

>"The specific epithet honours Mr. Oscar Piastri for his ​achievements in ​Formula One, ​and because the ‌colour 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 with a weekend off before the June 7 Monaco ​Grand Prix, ‌had yet to comment on ​the accolade.

>(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; editing ​by Clare Fallon)