Three biologists have officially named a prehistoric wasp species *Gwesped piastrii* in honor of McLaren Formula One driver Oscar Piastri.
The naming connects the world of high-speed motorsport with paleontology, highlighting how modern cultural figures can influence the classification of ancient life.
The specimen was discovered preserved in Burmese amber from Myanmar [1, 4]. According to research, the wasp species dates back approximately 98 million years [4]. The decision to name the insect after the Australian driver was prompted by the physical appearance of the fossil's casing. The scientists said the orange color of the amber reminded them of the McLaren racing livery [3, 4].
Piastri, who is 25 years old, now shares his name with a creature from the Cretaceous period [5]. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into the evolutionary history of wasps, preserved by the resin of ancient trees in what is now Southeast Asia [1, 4].
While scientific naming typically follows strict taxonomic guidelines, researchers occasionally use the practice to bring public attention to paleontology through associations with popular figures. In this case, the visual link between the fossil's hue and the McLaren team's branding served as the primary inspiration for the biologists [3, 4].
“The amber’s orange colour reminded the scientists of McLaren’s racing livery”
This naming convention reflects a growing trend in science to bridge the gap between academic research and popular culture. By linking a 98-million-year-old discovery to a contemporary athlete, researchers can increase the visibility of paleontological findings to a global audience that might not otherwise engage with taxonomic literature.
