Verstappen praises Piastri: "He is very calm in his approach and I like that"

The revelation of this start of the season, even if his talent was indisputable from his arrival in the premier category of motor sport in 2023, is Oscar piastri. After the first five rounds of the season, the driver McLaren is leading the championship (99 points), ahead of his teammate Lando Norris (89), and the four-time world champion Max Verstappen (87)

The Australian has already racked up three wins this year and impresses with his calm and temperate emotions. Despite his young age (24), Oscar Piastri seems to possess an imperturbable composure, protecting him from the slightest mistake at the wheel of his MCL39. So, the Oceanian is now a serious contender for the title, perhaps even the favorite given his recent performances. Behind, his teammate Lando Norris does not yet have such unshakeable confidence as the number 81 and Max Verstappen is suffering from a car below the formidable McLaren. A good sport, the Dutchman acknowledged that he appreciated the qualities of the young Australian driver at the microphone of Sky Sports.

« People kind of forget but last year was his second yeare, wanted to remind the pilot Red Bull. He's now in his third year and he's very solid. He's very calm in his approach and I like that. It shows on the track, he rises to the occasion when he needs to, rarely makes mistakes and that's what you need when you want to fight for a championship. » 

Mark Webber, the key to Oscar Piastri's success

Max Verstappen also stressed the importance of Mark Webber, Oscar Piastri's manager, on the Australian's successes. As a reminder, Mark Webber is a former pilot of Formula 1. Author of 9 victories and 13 pole positions during his career, which was mainly spent at Red Bull, the native of the land of Oz (just like his protégé), then converted to driver management and has been supporting Oscar Piastri's career since 2020.

« I think having Mark by his side helps him a lot, confided the four-time world champion. It's great. People learn from their own careers, which is what I experienced with my father, and Oscar experiences the same thing with Mark, who mentors him. Ultimately, Oscar uses his talent, and it's great to see. »

While Max Verstappen may be praising his direct title rival, it's not certain that the kind words will last if the battle for the title intensifies throughout the season. Formula 1 returns to Miami on the weekend of May 2-4, and McLaren is once again the favorite for the sixth round of the year, the first on the American continent. While Lando Norris is looking to bounce back, could a third consecutive victory—after Bahrain and Jeddah—for Oscar Piastri cement his status as number 1 driver within the papaya team? Unless Max Verstappen comes along, as he did in Japan, to play spoilsport.

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