After a difficult weekend for Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, his manager Mark Webber emphasized that the young driver is “only human.” The event saw Piastri, the leader in the Drivers’ Championship, make uncharacteristic errors, highlighting the pressures of his first Formula 1 title fight.
Mark Webber Defends Oscar Piastri Amid Challenging Baku Weekend
The usually composed Oscar Piastri appeared shaken at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where a string of mistakes cost him valuable points. The Australian racing driver triggered one of a record six red flags during qualifying by crashing into the barriers in Q3, relegating him to ninth on the starting grid. Despite this setback, his teammate and closest title rival Lando Norris was unable to fully capitalize, starting ahead in seventh place.
However, Piastri’s race problems worsened with a false start, causing him to jump the lights and enter anti-stall mode, leaving him at the back of the pack by the time he rejoined. Although he made some progress early on, a misjudged entry at Turn 5 caused a second heavy crash, prematurely ending his race.
These mistakes stand out in contrast to Piastri’s typically cool demeanor and solid performances throughout his career. Robert Doornbos, a former Red Bull driver now working as a commentator, shared that after the race he contacted Webber to check on Piastri’s state of mind. Speaking on Ziggo Sport, Doornbos revealed his conversation:
“I was texting with his manager, Mark Webber,”
Doornbos said.
“He said that Oscar is only human.”
The Impact of Baku on the Championship Battle
Max Verstappen, reigning four-time World Champion, seized the opportunity presented by McLaren’s troubles. His consecutive wins narrowed the gap to Piastri to 69 points with seven rounds remaining, bringing Verstappen back into contention for a fifth consecutive title.
Doornbos pointed out the experience gap between Piastri and Verstappen as a factor in the young Australian’s recent mistakes:
“Let’s not forget that he doesn’t have a lot of experience compared to, say, Max Verstappen,”
he noted, defending Piastri’s performance.
Despite the pressure and growing scrutiny following Baku, Piastri remained focused on recovery and improvement. Maintaining a 25-point lead over Norris, he is looking ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix rather than dwelling on the errors behind him.
When asked about Verstappen’s resurgence in the title fight, Piastri remained pragmatic, saying he was not overly concerned with his rival’s challenge:
“I’m not going to rule him out, but I’m honestly not too concerned with that.”
He expressed a clear intention to bounce back swiftly:
“I’m just trying to bounce back from this weekend and put in the best performances that I can.”
“I know that if I get back to where I know I can be, then I’ll be more than okay, so that’s what I’m going to focus on.”
Looking Forward After a Difficult Race Weekend
Oscar Piastri’s experience in Baku underlines the intense pressure that comes with leading a Formula 1 World Championship battle. His unusual errors demonstrate that despite his talent and composure, he is still learning how to manage the demands at this level.
Mark Webber’s support as a manager and mentor offers reassurance that mistakes are part of Piastri’s growth. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s momentum ensures the championship fight remains open, adding to the tension as the season nears its conclusion.
With seven races left, Piastri’s ability to recover and harness his potential will be critical in preserving his advantage over Norris, Verstappen, and others eager to close the gap. The upcoming Singapore GP will be an important test of both his skill and resilience.
