Oscar Piastri issues ‘nice’ response after being told Guenther Steiner has backed him to win the 2025 F1 title

Oscar Piastri is gunning for a title challenge in 2025 with McLaren. The team are searching for the drivers’ title after winning the constructors’ championship in 2024.

The Woking-based outfit were the first team to unveil their 2025 challenger – the MCL39 – last week. Piastri and teammate Lando Norris gave the car its first outing in a secret filming day at Silverstone, driving a maximum of 200km as per the regulations.

McLaren have made several ‘revised’ changes to the MCL39, including a slimmer sidepod and smaller engine cover. Gary Anderson was ‘immediately’ drawn to McLaren’s suspension on the front and rear, stressing that it is what Andrea Stella wants.

Many F1 fans were anticipating the launch of the new McLaren after last year’s success, but they were not impressed with the car’s new design. McLaren fans felt they were ‘fooled’ by the 2025 livery as they noticed the similarities to last season’s design.

It is doubtful fans will be too bothered if the car is competitive and can challenge for the championship – and that is what McLaren are being backed to do. Carlos Sainz sees Norris as one of the four contenders for the title in 2025.

The Brit’s teammate Piastri is, in many ways, being considered an outsider for the title this year. But Guenther Steiner begs to differ.

Oscar Piastri stresses he must ‘prove it’ as he responds to Guenther Steiner’s championship claim

Steiner backs Piastri to win the championship in 2025, claiming the Aussie has the ‘right car’ to make it ‘his year.’

The 23-year-old finished fourth in the standings in 2024 with two wins and seven podiums. Piastri had to back off after McLaren intervened with ‘papaya rules’ to favour Norris’ title bid against Max Verstappen.

Norris ultimately failed to grab the drivers’ championship for McLaren. Now with the scores set to zero, Piastri is looking to stamp his authority and challenge at the front.

Piastri says it would be ‘silly’ if he did not fight for the title, but he also stressed he has to ‘prove it.’ Speaking with talkSPORT Driving at the F1 75 launch event, the Aussie said it was ‘nice’ to receive backing from Steiner but he must show his worth on the track.

Asked whether he listens to predictions about him, the McLaren driver said: “I mean not very much to be honest. It’s nice to have those things and comments but ultimately it’s going to be down to whatever I can do on track.

“So I’m excited to see what I can do. It’s nice to have the nice words from Guenther, but I’ve got to go out there and prove it.”

How Oscar Piastri feels Max Verstappen has an advantage heading into 2025

One of the main talking points from 2024 was McLaren’s team orders and how they failed to intervene with their drivers sooner. Team orders overshadowed Piastri’s maiden win in Hungary as Norris had to let him pass for the lead after undercutting the Aussie in the pits.

Piastri wants to avoid team orders in 2025 and fight his teammate freely on track. But McLaren will maintain the controversial team orders policy for their drivers – this could be music to Verstappen’s ears if the Woking-based outfit make the same mistakes as last year.

Piastri thinks Verstappen has an advantage as Red Bull do not have two number one drivers. Liam Lawson will not be expected to challenge the Dutchman as the replacement for Sergio Perez.

If McLaren overcomplicate things with ‘papaya rules’, it could cost them again in the hunt for the drivers’ title. The team will have to decide who to prioritise after the opening races of the season.