Despite being in only his third season in Formula 1, Australian driver Oscar Piastri has surprised many with his remarkable performance. McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, believes that Piastri’s success is not solely due to McLaren’s strong new car. Piastri’s journey to F1 was clouded by controversy, as he stepped in for fan-favorite Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren amid legal disputes over his talent. Despite initial doubts, Piastri now leads the championship standings, outperforming his teammate Lando Norris.
McLaren’s significant progress this season has been evident, with the team being a dominant force in Formula 1. Stella highlights Piastri’s impressive improvement in managing tyre degradation, a skill he struggled with previously. The team’s engineers have worked extensively on understanding Piastri’s driving style to maximize the car’s potential. Piastri’s ability to conserve his Pirelli tyres effectively has been key to his success, allowing him to outperform his rivals, including Norris.
In races like the Miami Grand Prix, Piastri’s strategic tyre management has given him an edge, enabling him to maintain his lead while others struggled. Stella emphasizes the collaborative effort between Piastri and the McLaren team in achieving these results. The team’s overall performance, coupled with Piastri’s individual growth, has solidified McLaren’s position as a top contender in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
