Oscar Piastri delivers perfect four-word response on how he plans to battle Max Verstappen on track

For the third time in his Formula 1 career, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri will start a race from pole position at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri has been the standout driver on the grid this season and leads the drivers’ championship by 16 points from McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

However, while his fellow McLaren driver is technically his closest rival in the standings, there’s another racer that the Australian will be incredibly wary of.

Red Bull star Max Verstappen will line up alongside Piastri at the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Although Anthony Davidson thinks he spotted a weakness in Verstappen this weekend, he nearly pipped Piastri to pole position despite Red Bull’s slight pace disadvantage.

The Dutchman has made a habit of being incredibly difficult to race on track.

Lando Norris struggled against Verstappen throughout last season, and even at the previous race in Miami, Piastri dispatched the four-time world champion much more easily.

The run to the first corner on Sunday is going to be pivotal to deciding who wins at Imola given how difficult it can be to overtake on the narrow circuit.

Piastri doesn’t appear to be worried about going wheel to wheel with his rival after a couple of recent skirmishes between the pair.

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Oscar Piastri issues response on how he plans to race Max Verstappen this F1 season

Piastri was taking part in an interview with the Daily Mail during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and was asked about various aspects of the 2025 season.

When asked about how McLaren are approaching this season with the constructors’ championship in sight, the Australian said, “You can’t be successful as a driver without success as a team.

“That’s something we’re all aware of so there will probably be a little bit more space when we race.

“I won’t leave it completely open but there are people outside your team who you will probably be stronger with.”

Piastri was then asked if he plans to stand his ground when racing Verstappen and continued, “I think he knows.”

Piastri made this statement ‘with a smile’, and it’s very much in his character not to take things too seriously.

His ability to keep calm under pressure and not get too high or too low appears to be one of his key strengths as he attempts to win his first world championship.

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Why Oscar Piastri has had the upper hand over Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at Imola

Piastri may have far less experience than Norris or Verstappen, but his mindset and ultimate pace have put him in pole position to win his first championship.

The Australian has already overtaken Norris in terms of Formula 1 victories and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Piastri had an advantage over Norris in one key area during qualifying, and there’s a sense that even when he makes small errors, he’s able to compensate for them far better than his teammate.

His manager Mark Webber has praised Piastri’s approach this season, and having the former Red Bull driver in his corner appears to be having a positive impact.

Timo Glock has told Norris to consider hiring Sebastian Vettel, while Verstappen has his father to talk to if he ever needs to seek advice on any issues he’s having.

Piastri faces an internal battle at McLaren and an external fight with Verstappen to win his first Formula 1 title.

So far, he’s going about everything in the right way to make that happen.