Oscar Piastri’s composure cracked slightly after losing his hard-fought Formula 1 championship lead to McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who stormed to victory at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Australian, once the season-long frontrunner, slipped to fifth in Mexico despite a strong recovery drive from seventh on the grid. The result, however, wasn’t enough to prevent Norris from leapfrogging him in the standings by a single point — a symbolic but stinging shift in the power balance within McLaren.
Piastri, who has been uncharacteristically off-form since his last podium in Monza, confessed that his recent performances have been difficult to comprehend. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 23-year-old admitted something “strange” had crept into his driving, suggesting that the car’s behavior and tyre dynamics had forced him to adapt in ways he hadn’t yet mastered. “It’s been odd to wrap my head around,” he said, noting that what once worked perfectly earlier in the year has suddenly stopped yielding results.
The Australian revealed he’s been experimenting with different setups and driving styles in an effort to rediscover his rhythm. “I’ve tried a few things, changing it up a bit today,” he explained. “Once we analyse if it’s effective, hopefully we’ll make some progress.” Yet beneath his composed tone, Piastri’s words hinted at frustration — a man grappling not just with his machine, but with the sudden shift in momentum that now favors his teammate.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen capitalized on Ferrari’s slower pace to finish third and close the gap in the standings to within striking distance. Norris, however, was untouchable — crossing the line more than 30 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc in a commanding display that underlined his growing dominance in the title race. Piastri, meanwhile, was trapped behind Haas rookie Ollie Bearman, who delivered a career-best fourth-place finish, leaving the Australian visibly deflated.
Despite the disappointment, Piastri refused to overreact. “It’s not about reinventing myself,” he insisted. “It’s about adding a few more tools to the toolbox.” His measured response reflects the mindset of a driver aware that one bad streak doesn’t erase a season of brilliance — but also one who knows that if he doesn’t evolve fast, Norris might just finish what he started.
