A 98-million-year-old wasp fossil preserved in Myanmar amber has been named Gwesped piastrii in honor of McLaren Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri. The naming was carried out by Corentin Jouault, a 27-year-old research fellow at Oxford University, who led the study identifying the fossil as a new species within the Lancepyrinae subfamily.
Jouault and colleague Di-Ying Huang identified the fossil while conducting research at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology. The specimen, encased in orange amber measuring 10 x 8 x 2 mm, displayed anatomical features distinct from all known wasp species, including a higher number of flagellomeres and unique forewing venation. "From the beginning, we suspected that it represented something entirely new. We carried out a detailed taxonomic study, which involved cutting and polishing the amber to reveal key anatomical features and photographing structures used to distinguish fossil wasp species. The more we studied it, the clearer it became that this specimen belonged to a completely extinct lineage dating back to the age of dinosaurs. After comparing it with all known relatives, we identified a unique combination of characteristics that clearly separated it from every other known species. That was the moment when I realised: 'This is it. I've found my Piastri species.'"
The research paper describing Gwesped piastrii was published in the June 2026 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Palaeoworld. "The fossil is named piastrii with two 'i's. This is not a spelling mistake but a requirement of zoological nomenclature. 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 said.
"I have been more or less immersed in Formula 1 since childhood. My grandfather was a long-time F1 aficionado. I am probably a little less dedicated, because my research often has me travelling around the world, sometimes isolated in the middle of the tropical rainforest. But 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." Jouault pledged during the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship season to name a future discovery after Piastri. "When I arrived at Oxford, I met a group of enthusiastic F1 fans among my colleagues. We frequently discussed the season, debated race results over a pint and last year we found ourselves debating which driver deserved the title. 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."
"The amber pieces themselves display a beautiful orange colour that reminded us of McLaren's distinctive papaya livery. The reference to McLaren was also a nod to Celso's Brazilian background. McLaren and Brazil share a special place in Formula 1 history, largely thanks to the legendary Ayrton Senna, whose legacy remains enormously important to many fans around the world." McLaren later posted a social media message about the naming, featuring Piastri reacting humorously to wasp-themed puns. "To be honest, I was not expecting this level of attention from the F1 community. 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."