Oscar Piastri’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory was most likely achieved despite a broken rib suffered by the Australian driver.

Formula 1 takes a mid-year break, with teams and drivers refreshing their skills ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort at the end of the month.

One man whose body is clearly enjoying some time off is Piastri, who posted an X-ray on social media showing a fractured left rib.

The timestamp on the X-ray shows July 8, the day after he finished fourth in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Two weeks later Piastri took his first Grand Prix victory in Hungary, still possibly with a broken rib.

“The first part of the season is behind us. First GP victory. First broken bone. Rib is enjoying the break,” Piastri wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The Australian confirmed his first Formula 1 victory by finishing second in the Belgian Grand Prix.

Piastri’s recent strong performance has seen him move up to fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, just 10 points behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who is third, and his team-mate Lando Norris, who has 32 points.

Overall classification leader Max Verstappen leads Piastri by 110 points.

McLaren is also fully in the fight for the constructors’ championship. They are also second behind Red Bull, 42 points behind.

Piastri has had an outstanding second year in Formula 1.

While teammate Norris has received plenty of praise for his performances earlier in the year, Piastri has closed the gap on his more experienced partner.

There are 10 race weekends left in the 2024 season, starting with the Dutch Grand Prix on 23-25 ​​August.