It took only two seasons for Oscar Piastri to be involved in winning a first world championship in Formula 1, helping to end McLaren’s 16-year drought.
Teammate Lando Norris’ win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was enough for them to secure the constructors’ crown over Ferrari despite a chaotic race.
Max Verstappen crashed into Piastri at turn one on lap one, effectively ruining the Aussie’s race – as he limped across the line in 10th.
It wasn’t the fairytale ending to the season that McLaren were hoping for, especially when they had both cars lining up one and two for the race – but being champions again was all that mattered to them.
Oscar Piastri becomes fourth F1 driver ever to complete every lap in a season
Piastri was left to potter around the midfield for much of the race on Sunday, and it even managed to cost him at one stage.
While trying to overtake Williams driver Franco Colapinto, he went straight into the back of him – handing the Argentine driver a puncture.
Piastri was dealt a 10-second time penalty of his own and miraculously escaped without any further damage, while Colapinto went on to retire.
READ MORE: Oscar Piastri shares what ‘surprised’ McLaren in 2024 F1 title fight
Somehow, through all the adversity he faced, Piastri found himself crossing the line for the final lap of the season mere seconds ahead of teammate Norris.
It meant that he was able to achieve the feat of completing every single Grand Prix lap in a season – something achieved by just four other drivers.
Michael Schumacher did it in 2002, Lewis Hamilton in 2019, and Max Verstappen in 2023 – meaning that he’s the first non-champion to do it.
Can Piastri challenge Norris further in 2025?
Going into the 2025 season, it feels like McLaren have the most momentum on the grid, and should be in a position to challenge for both championships from the start of the season.
That’s unfamiliar territory for them, but they do at least have experience in the heat of battle now, with a drivers’ championship fight that didn’t go their way in 2024 offering plenty of learning to them.
Red Bull have suffered a pretty terrible end to the year and must do a lot over the winter to win again -meaning that Norris is probably the title favourite for now.
READ MORE: Lando Norris sends eight-word reply to Max Verstappen after congratulating McLaren on winning 2024 title
That’s unless Piastri, who has been in the sport for two years now, can utilise everything he has and find a little extra speed to beat out his British teammate.
He has shown that he has elite pace every now and then, but bringing that to the table every weekend will make him a serious force to be reckoned with.
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