Oscar Piastri enters the 15th consecutive Formula 1 weekend as the leader of the drivers’ championship, but his position is increasingly precarious. The Australian driver has been outscored by his two main rivals, McLaren teammate Lando Norris and reigning world champion Max Verstappen, in each of the last four races. What was once a comfortable lead of 34 points over Norris and 104 points over Verstappen has now been reduced to just 14 and 40 points, respectively.
The narrowing gap has intensified the focus on Piastri, with each race weekend bringing new challenges and scrutiny. Former drivers have weighed in on how the young Australian is handling the mounting pressure, while Piastri himself has faced numerous questions about his championship prospects. Despite a disappointing performance in the United States, Piastri remains optimistic, reminding everyone of his experience in tight racing scenarios.
“I’ve been in fights that were as close, or at this point, even closer than what they are now,” Piastri told media outlets in Austin. “So I’ve got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well, and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.”
Rising Through the Ranks
Before his rise to Formula 1, Piastri was a dominant force in the lower racing formulas. From 2019 to 2021, he clinched titles in the Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula 3, and Formula 2. His victory in the 2020 F3 championship was particularly telling of his ability to perform under pressure. Entering the final weekend with an eight-point lead, Piastri faced a setback after the first race but managed to secure the title by finishing seventh in the final race, despite starting from 11th position.
Piastri’s success in these highly competitive series caught the attention of the Renault Sport Academy, where then-director Mia Sharizman praised his consistency and maturity. “To have taken back-to-back championship wins in F3 and Eurocup, two hugely competitive series, shows his pedigree and his maturity,” Sharizman stated in 2020. “He has been the most consistent driver in the field this year and a hugely level-headed driver. These qualities will stand him well for the senior championships.”
The Current Challenge
Now, Piastri’s famed composure is being tested like never before in his Formula 1 career. Norris has been the standout performer for McLaren, while Verstappen and Red Bull have reestablished their dominance in recent races. For Piastri to regain momentum in Mexico City, a strong qualifying performance will be crucial. Recent trends show that the pole sitter has won the last five grands prix, underscoring the importance of starting position.
Piastri has not started on the front row in the previous four races, which has been a significant disadvantage. Mercedes driver George Russell highlighted the critical nature of qualifying, stating, “Right now, in F1, it’s a race to turn one. There is no tyre degradation. There’s only three-tenths between the quickest car and the slowest car in the top six, and normally, you need around half a second to overtake.”
“Qualifying is massive. Turn one is massive. I don’t even remember the last two-stop race in F1. Now, it’s just quite processional, unfortunately.” — George Russell
Looking Ahead to Mexico
Piastri has competed in Mexico twice, finishing eighth on both occasions. Last year’s result followed a poor qualifying session where he was only 17th fastest, yet he managed to climb nine places during the race. A similar performance this year could jeopardize his championship lead, but a strong qualifying session could swing momentum back in his favor.
With all eyes on Sunday’s crucial qualifying session, Piastri has the opportunity to demonstrate his resilience once again. If he can secure a strong starting position, it could be a pivotal moment in the championship race. As the pressure mounts, Piastri’s ability to remain calm and deliver under pressure will be key to his success in Mexico and beyond.
