Australian driver Oscar Piastri has matched historic winning achievements by securing five victories in the first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season, placing him alongside past champions Alan Jones and Sir Jack Brabham. With the season now at its midpoint after 10 Grands Prix, Piastri is firmly targeting the Australian F1 winning record held by Daniel Ricciardo.
Piastri’s performance spans victories in China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Spain, giving him the strongest winning run of any driver this season so far. This success has propelled him into a 22-point lead over his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris following the Canadian Grand Prix. His five wins equal the tallies recorded by Brabham in 1960 and Jones in 1980, both during their World Championship-winning seasons.
What the Record Means to Piastri and His Current Standing
Since his breakthrough first win in last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri’s rapid ascent has attracted attention as he contemplates surpassing revered Australian champions. The five victories he has tallied are significant because they match the highest number of wins achieved in a single season by an Australian world champion—records that have stood for decades. Brabham secured five wins en route to his second title in 1960, while Jones accomplished the same during his championship run in 1980.
Reflecting on this milestone, Piastri remarked in Canada,
“It’s a nice stat to have,”
underscoring his appreciation for being in such elite company. He added,
“I’d be happy with the status of joining them as World Champion!”
He acknowledged the strong start to the season, saying,
“It’s nice to have that, it’s been a great start to be at five wins in [10] races is beyond what I expected, really, even with a very competitive car.”
Despite some regrets over certain moments, Piastri recognized the collective effort behind his success:
“There have been a few moments I wish I could have again, probably in the season, but, on the whole, I’ve been very proud of the work that I’ve put in, the work that teams put in to achieve these kinds of things.”
Piastri’s Rise Compared to Other Australian F1 Greats
Looking ahead, Piastri’s momentum suggests he is poised to become Australia’s most successful F1 driver of the modern era. One more victory would see him match Daniel Ricciardo’s career total wins, while surpassing that would bring him level with Mark Webber’s tally. These prospects underline Piastri’s growing status within Australian motorsport history.
Regarding these statistical comparisons and personal milestones, he said,
“Whilst those stats are cool, that’s ultimately not why I’m here,”
and added,
“I’m here to try and win even more races and fight for a championship. So I think there are some cooler statistics to come.”
Beyond wins, Piastri has also set a record for consistency. He currently holds the fifth-longest points-scoring streak in F1 history with 28 consecutive races earning points. This places him just three behind Max Verstappen’s 31-race streak, which ranks fourth all-time. However, both are far from matching the ultimate record of 48 consecutive points finishes, held by Lewis Hamilton from 2018 to 2020.
Maintaining Composure Amid Growing Pressure
The first half of the 2025 campaign has seen Piastri establish a significant championship lead while Max Verstappen continues to contend despite some challenges with his car’s adaptability compared to McLaren’s. In only his third season, Piastri is in an optimal position to secure his first Drivers’ Championship. Nevertheless, the Australian has stressed that he is not treating this season as a do-or-die opportunity despite the unpredictable nature of Formula 1.
On managing this mindset, he explained,
“I’m not looking at it as my one chance,”
clarifying,
“Obviously, I don’t know that, but I don’t think there’s any use in putting extra pressure on yourself and thinking it’s do or die.”
Piastri revealed that his approach stems from lessons learned during his junior and early F1 career stages:
“For me, it’s been something I’ve learned through my junior career, through the first few years of my F1 career, you need time away from Formula 1 because, otherwise, it can get pretty draining pretty quickly, and that’s still exactly the same.”
He added that enjoying the present challenge remains important:
“Whilst it’s a different situation for me in terms of fighting for a championship and stuff like that, I think I’ve learned the lessons already on how I perform my best and how I come to each weekend fresh so I mean, for me, I’m obviously enjoying the position we’re in.”
On the feeling of competing at the top level, Piastri stated,
“It’s quite fun trying to win races and fight for a championship. Certainly, at the moment, the pressure is nothing that different, just trying to go out there and do my best, and it’s just that it looks like trying to fight for a win instead of fighting for a podium or fighting for points.”
The Broader Context of Piastri’s 2025 Campaign
The 2025 season is unfolding as one of intense competition, with Piastri’s strong performances placing him alongside notable figures such as Verstappen, Hamilton, and Alonso in discussions about championship prospects and records. His ability to consistently score points and convert strong qualifying positions into victories has drawn comparisons to some of the sport’s greats, emphasizing his rapid growth within Formula 1.
The Australian’s potential to break longstanding national records highlights the significance of his campaign, as well as the increasing competitiveness of the McLaren team. With 14 races remaining this season, Piastri has the opportunity to not only secure his maiden world title but also cement his place as one of Australia’s most successful Formula 1 drivers.
As the season progresses, his approach to managing pressure and maintaining focus will be critical in navigating the challenges posed by seasoned rivals and evolving car dynamics. The F1 community will be watching closely to see if Piastri can sustain this remarkable run and etch his name further into Australian and global motorsport history.
