Oscar Piastri has set his sights on fighting for the Australian’s first Formula 1 title in 2025 but sees ‘downsides’ at McLaren that can make it ‘easier’ for Max Verstappen.
The Melbourne native is preparing for his third campaign on the Formula 1 grid in 2025 with McLaren one of just two teams to retain their driver line-up from last year. Piastri will, again, partner Lando Norris for the Woking outfit as McLaren look to defend the constructors’ title.
Piastri showed regular improvements during his sophomore season in 2024 as the 23-year-old climbed from ninth into fourth place in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship. Norris even fought for the title but lost out to Red Bull pilot Verstappen by 63 points after the 24 rounds.
Oscar Piastri feels Max Verstappen has an advantage without two No1 drivers at Red Bull
Now, Piastri is ‘definitely’ targeting the drivers’ title in 2025, having also become a two-time Grand Prix winner last year. But the Australian accepts McLaren having two drivers pursuing the championship may become a ‘downside’ that makes the title race easier for Verstappen.
While Piastri can see the benefits from McLaren having two leading drivers as he and Norris can help each other to improve, he accepts Verstappen is unlikely to have the same internal fight after Red Bull terminated Sergio Perez’s contract and promoted Liam Lawson from RB.
READ MORE: Every error that cost Lando Norris points in his failed 2024 F1 title challenge
Lawson may spring a surprise in the 23-year-old’s first campaign as a full-time F1 driver after enjoying 11 Grand Prix starts across the past two seasons as a replacement. But Piastri does not expect many fireworks from the Kiwi against Verstappen, giving the Dutchman an edge.
“It is obviously a different dynamic,” Piastri told Auto Action (Issue 1905, p9). “I think Liam will do a good job. Obviously, Max has been established and we know how strong he is.
“But I think there’s other advantages that come with having a strong teammate in terms of being able to learn from one another – that is a very big help for both of us in trying to become faster. But, yes, that obviously has its downsides in some situations, as well.
“In my opinion, I think it outweighs that and, naturally, if you become world champion you’re going to be worthy no matter who your teammate is. But, yes, potentially in terms of not taking points off each other, that is a bit easier for Max.
“But I don’t know, Liam could come out and surprise us all. I know how strong Liam is as I raced against him for a number of years.”
McLaren know Oscar Piastri is right to fear two No1 drivers can cost them the title
McLaren, Piastri and Norris will know from their failings in 2024 that the Australian’s fears of their drivers taking points off each other holds merit. The Hungarian Grand Prix which Piastri won and the Italian Grand Prix which Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won are the evident examples.
After the Woking squad pitted the Briton before the Australian in Budapest, McLaren’s team orders overshadowed Piastri’s debut Grand Prix win in Hungary. But as Norris was starting to emerge as Verstappen’s main title rival, McLaren could have sacrificed Piastri to help his bid.
McLaren’s refusal to use team orders to support one driver’s title bid soon enough again bit at Monza, as well. Piastri’s first lap overtake on Norris at the Italian GP saw Leclerc split the teammates and force McLaren to be aggressive with their strategy, which cost them the win.
