Oscar Piastri’s weekend in Mexico unraveled into a sobering reality check, as the Australian conceded he must execute “pretty major” changes to his driving approach after losing his championship lead. What began as another chance to cement his dominance ended in frustration, with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris snatching victory — and the top spot in the standings — after a commanding performance that left Piastri on the defensive. The Aussie salvaged a fifth-place finish, climbing back from ninth after a rough first lap, but the cracks in his consistency are beginning to show under the growing weight of pressure.
Reflecting post-race, Piastri described the entire weekend as a grind through “dirty air” and imbalance. What troubled him most wasn’t the car — which remained unchanged — but the realization that his once-reliable driving rhythm no longer matched the evolving demands of the machinery. “It became obvious,” he admitted, that significant adjustments were required. His remarks hinted at an uncomfortable truth: while Norris has adapted seamlessly to recent circuit conditions, Piastri’s once-smooth synergy with the McLaren appears to have hit a technical and psychological wall.
The Australian elaborated that the issue isn’t rooted in mechanical deficiencies but in adaptation. “It’s nothing to do with the car,” he said pointedly, acknowledging that Norris has “found it easier to dial in,” while he’s struggled to adjust to tyre behavior and low-grip circuits. For Piastri, the answer lies in refining technique — “adding tools to the toolbox” rather than tearing down his entire style. His fifth-place finish, though respectable, masked a deeper struggle with rhythm, precision, and mental composure — crucial ingredients in a title fight that is rapidly tightening.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella defended his driver, emphasizing that Mexico’s low-grip surface magnified areas Piastri still needs to master. Stella praised his resilience and progress despite adversity, noting “promising signs” in how Piastri managed race conditions and traffic battles. The team, Stella added, sees this phase as a calibration moment rather than a crisis — a period for Piastri to evolve into a more versatile, adaptable competitor capable of thriving beyond ideal setups.
However, former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve and analyst Jamie Chadwick warned that time is slipping. Villeneuve pinpointed stress and tension as Piastri’s “big issue,” arguing that a tight, anxious driving style blocks natural flow and instinct. Chadwick added that Piastri has “lost his momentum,” locked in a cycle of chasing Norris rather than rediscovering his own rhythm. As the championship closes in, one truth looms large: Piastri’s fight isn’t just against Norris or Verstappen — it’s against himself, and how fast he can rewire his approach before the curtain falls on 2025.
