Oscar Piastri has solidified his status as McLaren’s stronger driver this season by maintaining a steady lead in the championship standings. The Australian’s consistent performances and strategic cooperation with his team have kept him ahead of teammate Lando Norris by 31 points with eight races remaining in 2025. Following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. explained how Piastri’s decision to comply with team orders could give him a strategic upper hand as the season progresses.
During the Italian GP, Lando Norris started ahead of Piastri and initially led the race before Max Verstappen overtook him. Norris then spent most of the race in second place but suffered a costly pitstop error by McLaren late in the event, which allowed Oscar Piastri to move up to P2. Despite this on-track advantage, McLaren instructed Piastri to relinquish the position back to Norris to maintain internal team harmony. Piastri complied, handing Norris the second-place finish. This call drew criticism since Piastri lost points despite not being at fault, highlighting the ongoing tension in managing team dynamics during a close title fight.
Nelson Piquet Jr. Highlights the Long-Term Benefits for Piastri
Nelson Piquet Jr. suggested that while Piastri gave up his position, the move could strengthen his relationship with McLaren. By showing himself as a team player willing to sacrifice for the collective good, Piastri has gained credibility within the team. Piquet Jr. argued this could be advantageous if the championship battle tightens, as Piastri might leverage this goodwill in future strategic decisions favoring him over Norris.
“In this way, Piastri gains credibility with the team… if things get more interesting towards the end of the season, he will have an ace up his sleeve. I think he’s also a team player, so he can say, ‘Damn, I helped everyone back then’. However, it was not necessary to give up the position due to a team error.”
—Nelson Piquet Jr., Former F1 Driver
By acknowledging his cooperation, Piastri could claim that his concession at Monza was a calculated move that establishes his loyalty. This dynamic may allow him to request strategic support from McLaren in tighter contest situations, reinforcing his position as the lead contender within the team.
The Risk of Lost Points and Possible Regret According to Piquet Jr.
Ultimately, Oscar Piastri finished the Italian GP in third place, losing valuable points to Norris, who regained second. While the 31-point gap remains substantial, the three points lost due to the team order tighten an already fierce battle during the remaining eight races of the season. Nelson Piquet Jr. warned that Piastri might regret his decision if those lost points become decisive in determining the championship winner.
However, Piquet Jr. also expressed confidence that Piastri is likely to win the title given his current form and team’s support. He noted that if the season had fewer races remaining at the time, Piastri might have chosen to keep his position rather than yielding it.
“He will regret it very much if he loses the championship with less than three points difference, but I don’t think that will be the case; I think he will win… I don’t think that decision would have been taken if there were still three races to play. If there were three more races left to play, I doubt he would have done it.”
—Nelson Piquet Jr., Former F1 Driver
McLaren’s Team Battle Remains Intense as Title Fight Heats Up
McLaren is experiencing a standout season as both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris remain at the front of the drivers’ championship leaderboard. The competitive rivalry between the two teammates is shaping into a compelling narrative in the final stretch of the 2025 season. Piastri’s ability to navigate internal team complexities while maintaining his championship lead will be critical as the pressure intensifies.
For Lando Norris, the challenge will be to capitalize on any opportunity to cut into Piastri’s advantage, while Piastri might use his demonstrated team loyalty to secure tactical support. As the races progress, these dynamics at Woking will play a key role in deciding which driver ultimately claims the title.
The unfolding developments from the Italian GP underscore how team strategies and driver cooperation can impact championship outcomes, adding another layer of intrigue to Formula 1’s 2025 season.
