With his spectacular third victory of the season, Oscar Piastri has established himself as a formidable contender for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. The Australian driver’s recent triumph at the Saudi Arabian GP marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first from his nation since his manager, Mark Webber, in 2010 to lead the World Drivers’ Championship standings.
Piastri’s initial year in 2023 painted a picture of a promising talent who many thought would eventually play second to his teammate, Lando Norris, upon the McLaren team delivering a competitive car. However, his breakthrough performances in 2024 have surged into 2025, reshaping perceptions of his abilities and potential championship ambitions.
Currently, Piastri maintains a 10-point lead over Norris, who has secured only a single win this season. Praise has come from across the motorsport community, including former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley, who has lauded the #81 driver’s potential, notably commending Piastri’s composed and precise racing demeanor. Priestley highlighted, “Oscar got an amazing start off the line, didn’t he? I mean, that boy is calm under pressure and controlled. He’s got all the makings of a champion and doesn’t seem to get flustered, just did everything right.”
This admiration extends even to his competitors, with reigning champion Max Verstappen acknowledging Piastri’s steady approach. Verstappen remarked, “He’s very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track. He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes—and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.”
Piastri’s season has been punctuated with outstanding performances under pressure that have only elevated his reputation. Even during the season opener in Melbourne, where he spun out of podium contention at his home race, he maintained his determination to secure points for his team. In China, Piastri showcased excellence, outdriving rivals to clinch his first win of the year, followed by dominant displays in Bahrain and Jeddah, increasing his victory count to three and ascending to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The cool composure Piastri displays draws parallels to Kimi Raikkonen, known as the original Iceman. Yet within the paddock, credit is also given to Mark Webber for his critical role in nurturing Piastri, contributing to his successful form since entering Formula 1.
Despite Piastri’s current form, Lando Norris remains a serious championship contender. Entering the season as the title favorite, Norris is anticipated to close the points gap in forthcoming rounds. As both teammates vie for the top spot, the potential exists for heightened tensions, yet McLaren CEO Zak Brown expects a respectful rivalry. Drawing confidence from the harmonious relationship between Piastri and Norris, he believes it won’t devolve into the kind of notorious rivalries seen between Rosberg-Hamilton or Senna-Prost.
As the championship unfolds, Oscar Piastri stands poised to carve his legacy in Formula 1, bringing a sense of excitement and anticipation to the sport’s enthusiasts around the world. The coming races promise to be thrilling as Piastri, Norris, and other top drivers battle it out for the ultimate prize in motorsport.
