F1
Piastri draws lessons from the F1 title race: "There's everything that happens outside the car."
© Frédéric Le Floc'h / DPPI
Judging by his grim expression upon arrival at the Qatar Grand Prix, Oscar piastri seemed to already know. Barring a true miracle, his title hopes were over, and his chance had passed. Holding a 34-point lead over Lando Norris after the Dutch Grand Prix, the one who was then leading the world championship F1 began to crumble. Defeat in Baku, clash in Austin, frustration dating back to Singapore… Mark Webber's protégé seemed to have lost the thread of a season that had started off well.
Despite the setback, Oscar Piastri remained clear-headed about his situation and took advantage of the FIA's end-of-year gala to speak to the public about his particular situation a few days after the outcome. “When I look at this season compared to my first two years, this one is clearly above all the others. I can be very proud of what I’ve accomplished. Obviously, the final result isn’t exactly what I wanted, but there are a lot of positives to take away. I’ve gained a lot of confidence by proving what I’m capable of over a full season.”
Piastri is preparing for year IV in F1
Unable to ignore the issue of this sudden and brutal drop in performance mid-season, Oscar Piastri remains rather enigmatic. Nevertheless, his comments, which have consistently addressed the pressure of results and the management of setbacks—of which Baku is naturally a part—have been a recurring theme in his remarks for several weeks now.
"These are things that are not always related to results," he admitted. And it's precisely these elements that I'll take with me into the future. There have been lessons on how to drive the car, on how to perform better in different conditions. And there's also everything that happens outside the car: managing adversity, difficult moments, pressure. I've learned a tremendous amount about myself this year. All these lessons, on and off the track, will clearly help me in the future.
ALSO READ > Max Verstappen's overtaking maneuver on Oscar Piastri at Imola voted action of the year
Still linked to McLaren Alongside Lando Norris for the 2026 season, Oscar Piastri will have to contend with a new world champion before even battling the rest of the field. While McLaren has no guarantee of performing at the same level next year, it seems the Australian's chance has passed, though he awaits potential new opportunities. Will they arrive soon? The first signs of an answer should be forthcoming shortly.
Mathieu Chambenoit
Responsible for the single-seater categories (F2, F3, FRECA, Eurocup-3, F4...), I enjoy discussing F1, Endurance, or MotoGP.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
14/12/2025 at 12:51 a.m.
Perhaps he also realized that Zak Brown being Norris's manager had also had an impact on the 2025 season, despite the infamous Papaya Rules.
vincent moyet
14/12/2025 at 12:09 a.m.
When you try to connect the dots, you realize that it was perhaps paradoxically Norris's retirement at Zandvoort that cost him the title, because he thought the hardest part was over. But there were still nine races left, and the fear of losing crept in, reaching its peak in Baku. It's worth noting that he returned to the front in the last two Grands Prix, when it was practically over and the pressure had therefore dissipated. These 24-race seasons are true marathons, and the points system means everything can change in just two races. One thing is certain: very few drivers can boast of having achieved seven victories in their third season in F1. He has definitively entered the top five of the best drivers in the world, and a contender for the title.