With his mentor Mark Webber trackside, Oscar Piastri has taken a big step towards securing a Formula 1 drive of his own by winning this year’s Formula 3 title.

The 19-year-old Australian’s seventh-place finish in the season finale at Mugello in Italy on Sunday was enough to claim the title by three points from France’s Theo Pourchaire.

American teammate Logan Sargeant, who started Sunday’s race level on points with Piastri, crashed out early in the 21-lap event to make the Australian’s task much easier.

Pourchaire came home third, but that wasn’t enough to trouble Piastri, who had enough points to secure the title but still made a pass on the line to claim seventh position.

F3 CHAMPION! 🏆#TuscanGP 🇮🇹 #Mugello #F3

@fiaformula3 | @prema_team | @renaultf1team | @hptuners | @vcmperformance | flash diesel | melbourne malibu | @jamsportsmgmt pic.twitter.com/YKM8tYim3c

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) September 13, 2020

Webber was among the first to congratulate Piastri, who will be hoping to use his impressive Formula 3 debut campaign as a way to crack into Formula 1 in the future.

“I’ve been quite consistent over the year and I think also the way I’ve bounced back from those setbacks we’ve had,” Piastri said.

“We’ve had quite a few technical issues and other problems to deal with. So, I think my consistency and keeping my head cool has been been the biggest thing.”

Mark Webber and Oscar Piastri at Italy’s Mugello circuit on Sunday. Photo: Getty

Piastri also offered commiserations to Sargeant post-race, knowing his teammate’s misfortune had played a key role in his title success.

“The last few weeks have certainly put me to the test emotionally,” he said.

‘I just can’t really believe we just won that thing. Obviously, I feel really sorry for Logan. You never want to see that happen to your teammate and your title rival.”

We did it. F3 champion! What a mental year, absolutely crazy. I hope everyone enjoyed that, because I think I need a heart transplant 😂

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) September 13, 2020

Sunday’s race was won by New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, his third victory of the year lifting him to fifth on the standings.

Alex Peroni was the next best of the three other Australian drivers, finishing 10th in the championship, while Jack Doohan and Calan Williams failed to pick up a single point in the series this year.

-AAP