LONDON : A newly discovered species of prehistoric wasp preserved in Burmese amber and dating back to the age of the dinosaurs has been named after Oscar Piastri, according to a research article published in the journal Palaeoworld.
The insect, found in northern Myanmar and dating from the middle Cretaceous period, has been given the scientific name 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 said.
The Cretaceous period ended around 65 million years ago.
Piastri, 25, made his Formula One debut in 2023 and has since won nine Grands Prix for McLaren Formula One Team.
The Australian is currently attending the Isle of Man TT during Formula One’s break before the Monaco Grand Prix on June 7 and had not yet publicly reacted to the honour.
