Jonas Leo
The intersection of paleontological discovery and Formula 1 fandom has yielded an extraordinary scientific nomenclature: a newly identified 98-million-year-old wasp species, preserved in Myanmar amber, has been formally named Gwesped piastrii, in tribute to McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. This unique designation, born from a casual wager among F1 enthusiasts and a deep admiration for the Australian racer, underscores the surprising ways in which scientific rigor can intertwine with popular culture and personal passions.
The discovery was spearheaded by Oxford research fellow Corentin Jouault, alongside his esteemed colleagues Prof. Di-Ying Huang and Prof. Celso O. Azevedo. Their extensive research focused on a meticulously preserved wasp fossil dating back to the Cretaceous Period, a pivotal era in Earth’s history spanning from approximately 145 to 66 million years ago, a time when dinosaurs still roamed the planet. This particular specimen, encased within ancient amber from Myanmar, presented distinctive characteristics that immediately suggested it belonged to an entirely new lineage.
After rigorous study and detailed taxonomic analysis, the team definitively concluded that the fossil represented a second, previously undescribed species within the Lancepyrinae genus Gwesped. The findings, which formally describe the new species, were subsequently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Palaeoworld. As the lead author in the formal description, Jouault was afforded the honor of assigning the new species its scientific name, a privilege he exercised with a clear nod to his sporting hero.
Jouault, a 27-year-old French scientist, openly acknowledges his lifelong immersion in the world of Formula 1. His passion for the sport, he explained to Motorsport.com, was inherited from his grandfather, a dedicated F1 aficionado. Despite a demanding research career that often takes him to remote locations, including tropical rainforests, Jouault consistently endeavors to follow the Grand Prix season. "Whenever possible I try to have the grand prix on in the background while working or watch the races during the weekend. At the very least, I always keep an eye on the results," he stated, illustrating his enduring connection to the sport.
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The decision to name the ancient wasp after Piastri originated from an informal yet spirited discussion among Jouault and his F1-enthusiastic colleagues at Oxford. These regular debates over race results and driver performances led to a lighthearted challenge. "To settle the discussion, I jokingly declared that I would name a species after Oscar Piastri because I have been cheering for him since his rookie season. I admire both his driving and his calm, professional attitude," Jouault recounted. Piastri, who made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in the 2023 season, quickly established himself as a formidable talent, securing two podium finishes and a Sprint race victory in his inaugural year. His consistent performance and composed demeanor have garnered significant praise within the paddock and among fans alike, making him a compelling figure for such a unique tribute.
The initial pledge, however, was made without any guarantee of a suitable discovery. Discovering a new species, particularly one from such a distant epoch, is an infrequent occurrence for any paleontologist. Jouault specialized in wasps, providing a fortuitous connection to Piastri’s burgeoning fan community, often referred to as the "PiastriHive"—a playful reference to bees, which are a specialized type of wasp. This subtle thematic link added another layer of personal significance to the eventual naming.
The opportunity arose several months later during Jouault’s research stay at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology in China. The institute houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of fossil insects preserved in amber, offering an unparalleled window into ancient ecosystems. It was there, in collaboration with Professor Huang, that Jouault encountered a particularly unusual wasp fossil, perfectly preserved within 98-million-year-old amber sourced from Myanmar. "From the beginning, we suspected that it represented something entirely new," Jouault remarked, highlighting the immediate impression the specimen made.
The subsequent taxonomic study involved meticulous procedures, including the precise cutting and polishing of the amber to expose crucial anatomical features. High-resolution photography was then used to document the intricate structures essential for distinguishing fossil wasp species. The more they delved into the specimen, the clearer it became that this wasp belonged to a completely extinct lineage, tracing its origins back to the age of dinosaurs. After exhaustive comparisons with all known relatives, the team identified a unique combination of characteristics that unequivocally separated it from any other previously described species. "That was the moment when I realised: ‘This is it. I’ve found my Piastri species,’" Jouault recalled, noting the perfect timing as the project coincided with Piastri’s "remarkable 2025 season"—a forward-looking sentiment reflecting the driver’s strong trajectory following his rookie success.
The scientific nomenclature itself adheres to strict zoological rules, which Jouault was keen to clarify. The fossil is formally named piastrii with two ‘i’s, a detail that is not a typographical error but a requirement of scientific naming conventions. "When a species is named after a man, the suffix ‘-i’ is added to the surname. Since Piastri already ends with an ‘i’, the result becomes piastrii," he explained. The formal academic paper details the species’ distinguishing features with precision, echoing the technical language often found in Formula 1’s aerodynamic upgrade documents: "This species can be readily distinguished from the previously known Gwesped species by its higher number of flagellomeres and distinctive forewing venation."
Further enhancing the scientific narrative, Jouault and Huang discovered a second unusual wasp from the same family in another batch of amber specimens. This specimen, representing a different lineage, required additional expert consultation. For this, Jouault enlisted the expertise of Professor Celso Azevedo, recognized as the world’s leading authority on this specific group of wasps. Professor Azevedo played a critical role in establishing its phylogenetic relationships and confirming its classification within a modern genus, despite representing an extinct species. The collaborative effort culminated in the peer-reviewed scientific paper, which was accepted and published in the June issue of Palaeoworld, drawing immediate and widespread amusement from the Formula 1 community.
Beyond the scientific and sporting connections, the amber itself contributed to the thematic resonance. The fossil was encased in a piece of amber measuring 10 x 8 x 2 mm, which exhibited a striking orange hue. This natural coloration immediately evoked McLaren’s iconic papaya livery, the distinctive orange that has become synonymous with the British racing team. This visual link further cemented the connection to McLaren, a team with a storied history in Formula 1. Jouault also highlighted this as a subtle tribute to Professor Azevedo’s Brazilian heritage, acknowledging McLaren’s profound historical ties to Brazil, largely through the legendary Ayrton Senna, whose legacy continues to resonate deeply with fans worldwide.
The unexpected crossover between his niche scientific field and the global phenomenon of Formula 1 caught Jouault by surprise. While on a research visit to colleagues at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, the story broke, leading to an overwhelming influx of notifications. He woke up to a barrage of messages, social media alerts, and articles detailing his discovery. Among these was a social media clip from McLaren, featuring a visibly amused Oscar Piastri responding to a series of playfully "stingingly humorous" wasp-related puns from his social media team. "To be honest, I was not expecting this level of attention from the F1 community," Jouault confessed. "My phone was buzzing continuously with notifications, likes, retweets, messages from all directions, and friends sending me articles and screenshots saying that the species dedication had been discovered. I have to admit that it was a wonderful way to start the day, especially seeing the reaction from the McLaren team and Oscar himself."
Looking ahead, Jouault expressed uncertainty about repeating such a specific dedication for any future discoveries. "I don’t think that will happen anytime soon," he remarked with a laugh, suggesting that the recent surge of attention from the F1 community might suffice for the time being. More soberly, he stated, "I think that dedicating a species to a person should remain something exceptional rather than routine." However, he did entertain the hypothetical possibility of another F1-inspired naming. "That said, if I were ever to do it again for another F1 driver, I might be tempted to honour someone from an earlier generation, perhaps a fellow Frenchman such as Alain Prost, who remains one of the great figures in the sport’s history."
As the Formula 1 season continues its demanding schedule, with teams like McLaren vying for competitive positions, the story of Gwesped piastrii serves as a fascinating reminder of the unexpected links that can form between diverse fields of human endeavor, uniting the ancient world with the cutting edge of motorsport.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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