Bernie Ecclestone, former Formula 1 chief executive, has chosen McLaren’s Oscar Piastri as the favorite to claim the 2025 F1 drivers‘ world championship, placing him ahead of teammate Lando Norris. This endorsement comes amid a closely contested season where both drivers are competing fiercely for the title.
Oscar Piastri currently leads the drivers‘ standings with 284 points, just nine points clear of Lando Norris, who has accumulated 275 points so far. The Woking-based McLaren team has produced the strongest challengers this year, with Piastri achieving six Grand Prix victories, slightly surpassing Norris, who has taken five wins. The rivalry between Piastri and Norris has been a highlight of the 2025 campaign, with intense battles at the front of the pack captivating fans.
During the ongoing summer break in the F1 season, Ecclestone shared his thoughts on the title race in an interview with the Swiss–German publication Blick, saying:
“I bet on the Australian after just three races! He goes his own way, and is mentally far superior to Norris.”
—Bernie Ecclestone, former F1 chief executive
Despite Ecclestone’s confidence in Piastri, the most recent encounter between the McLaren teammates at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix saw Lando Norris prevail. Piastri made several attempts to overtake Norris in the closing laps but could not find a way past, showing just how tight their competition remains. The season currently stands at 14 rounds completed, with 10 races still to go, beginning with next week’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort—a venue where Norris was victorious last year.
Oscar Piastri Anticipates Rising Pressure in Final Races of 2025
While Ecclestone’s prediction favors Piastri, the Australian driver himself is focused on managing the increasing pressure as the championship enters its crucial phase. Aware of the slim lead over Norris with 10 remaining races, Piastri stressed the importance of consistent performance rather than prematurely looking ahead to the title outcome.
In a statement released by McLaren, Piastri remarked:
“Obviously, you don’t want to give away points, but it has been far too early to be thinking of the season in that way. At this stage, you just want to go into the weekend trying to get the most out of it as you can, rather than thinking of the Championship overall.
“So yes, I think I’ve handled it well, but I haven’t concentrated on it much. The pressure is only going to increase from here. When we get to the latter part of the year, that is when the pressure will ramp up.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
This season marks a milestone for both Piastri and Norris as they chase their first-ever Formula 1 drivers‘ championship, adding an extra layer of intensity to their rivalry. Their performances in the upcoming races will likely define not only who secures the 2025 crown but also the future trajectory of McLaren’s success in the sport.
With the championship battle finely poised and both drivers displaying remarkable skill and resilience, the remainder of the 2025 F1 calendar promises to deliver high-stakes competition and crucial turning points as they strive to clinch what would be a career-defining title.
