• Home
  • News
  • F1
  • Piastri fears Norris more than Verstappen for the title
F1

Piastri fears Norris more than Verstappen for the title

Constantly improving, Oscar Piastri is establishing himself as one of the big names on the grid, to the point of even talking about the title and already seeing it as a main rival.

Published 03/04/2025 à 18:00

Benoit Chelles

  Comment on this article! 2

Piastri fears Norris more than Verstappen for the title

©Joao Filipe / DPPI

This start of the 2025 season is confirmation thatOscar piastri has indeed turned a corner. Building on his encouraging 2024, the Aussie has lived up to expectations perfectly in the first two rounds. While his mistake in the race cost him the podium at home in Australia, the driver McLaren has shown an ability to consistently play leading roles. A week after the Australian disappointment, he was able to secure his first pole position, which he converted into a victory after an ultra-solid performance. This is enough to further assert himself internally.

Oscar Piastri, polesitter and winner of the Chinese Grand Prix, put in a formidable performance. Definitely a contender in the title race, he admits to being more afraid of his teammate. Lando Norris than his opponent Max Verstappen.

« Getting my first pole was a relief, especially as there was a bit of despair starting to set in, I had been trying to get it for a long time, declared the Melbourne native. I obviously want to be on pole every weekend, but I don't think finally getting it will make the next ones any easier to achieve. ».

“Max is an extraordinary driver but…”

Fifth in the championship, 10 points behind leader Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri appears to be positioning himself as a serious title contender based on his performance in these first two outings of the year. Behind the Orange drivers, the competition is far behind, like Max Verstappen, whom the McLaren driver doesn't fear as much as his teammate... for the moment.

« It's obvious that Max is an extraordinary pilot, He continues. But I fear Lando more in the title race, we have the same car and I know it is fast." 

For the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, McLaren is logically the favorite. Having swept the board since the start of the season, the Wooking team seems firmly attached to the front of the pack and should probably find itself there again in the Land of the Rising Sun. Thus, the two McLaren drivers are one win away from each other, will the demanding Suzuka track be the scene of the first tensions between the two orange cars? Lando Norris has in any case set the tone: With Oscar, we want to fight." Appointment is taken.

ALSO READ > At the end of his contract, George Russell has "no concerns" about his extension

Autohebdo Store / Flash Sales

See the shop

Comment on this article! 2

Continue reading on these topics:

1 formula Suzuka
Read also

Comments

2 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

04/04/2025 at 12:03 a.m.

If we could have a battle between the 2 Papaya Boys, refereed by Verstappen, Russell and the Ferrari duo, what happiness for this last (?) regulatory year!

V

vincent moyet

04/04/2025 at 02:40 a.m.

To be a world champion, you have to be able to win or reach the podium in every race. It's this consistency that will make the difference. So far, Piastri has shown some shortcomings in this area, which is logical given his limited experience. And in this game, Norris did better by securing 2nd place when his teammate was in a strong position. And let's not forget Verstappen, more used to fighting for the title, who will manage to stay in contact in the standings and will take advantage of any opportunity to win and take back points or even move into the lead. So far, he's in this position, 2nd in the standings, and a victory during an average performance from Norris could allow him to catch up or move into the lead.

Write a comment