P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri’s needed to change a “few things pretty majorly in how I was driving” the McLaren
In the midst of a tight Formula 1 championship battle, it’s unusual to hear a contender admitting the need for significant changes in driving style late in the season.
Oscar Piastri has faced a dramatic shift in fortunes recently, losing his championship lead to McLaren’s Lando Norris by just one point after a series of challenging races.
From being a dominant force with 14 podiums in the first 16 races of 2025, Piastri has now endured four races outside the top three, erasing a 34-point lead he held after Norris’s retirement in the Dutch Grand Prix.
While some attribute Piastri’s struggles to McLaren favoring Norris, such claims are baseless as it makes no sense for the team to hinder the driver leading in points, especially when aiming to beat Verstappen.
Piastri himself acknowledged the need for adjustments in his driving style specific to the demands of each track, indicating a focus on refining his skills rather than undergoing a drastic overhaul.
Despite the challenging races in the US and Mexico, Piastri’s efforts to unlock the McLaren’s full potential were evident, hinting at a potential return to form once the underlying issues are addressed.
