F1 News
Piastri highlights area of improvement needed to become world champion
Oscar Piastri has revealed what he needs to change in order to put in a sustained fight to become the F1 world champion. After McLaren sowed up the constructor's title in Abu Dhabi, Piastri was clearly eager for more. Speaking to GPblog and others in the paddock, Piastri explained what he needs to do if he wants to become a serious contender for the 2025 world title.
Oscar Piastri had a tough race in Abu Dhabi. The Australian was spun around by Max Verstappen at turn one and then received a 10-second time penalty for running into the back of Franco Colapinto's Williams. He worked his way back up to finish in 10th place, but the result clearly didn't satisfy him. In 2024, Piastri finished the season in fourth overall with 292 points. The Australian secured two race wins and eight podiums, too.
Piastri: 'I've made some good steps, but there's still room to go'
In the paddock of the Yas Marina Circuit after the race, the 23-year-old was asked how he could stake his claim to be a key element in 2025's title battle. "It'll be important (To me). I think this season, I feel like I've made some good steps forward. There's still room to go. I think the biggest one has been leaving a few too many positions on the table in qualifying. I don't think I've ever really made life easy for myself in the races in that aspect. So I think that's definitely the big focus of the off-season," Piastri explained, highlighting qualifying as an area of improvement. The McLaren driver didn't start a race from pole position in 2024, whilst teammate Lando Norris started from the front on eight different occasions.
The Australian continued: "Just trying to get those last hundredths, last tenths, because I feel like in all the other areas, I've been able to show what I'm capable of and also show that I've improved from my rookie season. So again, I feel like it's now just putting everything together because I feel like the gaps now are very, very small or non-existent. It's just that if I can get it all together, then I'll be on my way, I think." He concluded.
It would be no easy feat for Piastri, who is sure to have competition from his teammate Lando Norris. The Brit is also searching for his maiden title win after coming relatively close in 2024. As well as Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and now Lewis Hamilton will most likely be battling away. So will Max Verstappen in the Red Bull, as well as Mercedes' George Russell. Other candidates may join the battle, too. Even if it doesn't go Piastri's way, we are set for a very exciting 2025 season.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!