For Günther Steiner, 2025 will be Oscar Piastri’s year
While speculations turn towards a duel between Norris, Verstappen, and the two Ferrari drivers, former Haas boss Günther Steiner is of a different opinion. According to him, one of the contenders for the title is none other than Oscar Piastri.
A surprise in 2025? While the season has not yet started, several observers are already revealing their predictions for this year. Although the names Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris, and Leclerc are widely mentioned, Günther Steiner also joined in but gave a surprising answer. According to him, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri will be the world champion. For the Austrian, the Australian now has enough experience to compete with the best drivers over a full season.
An express adaptation to F1
« I think he now has the right car and this year will be his », he declared to the Herald Sun. « Arriving as a rookie, he overperformed from 2023, and in 2024, he confirmed with progress. And this year, he is ready to go for the title. » Remarks that may seem surprising but reflect the talent of the former Prema driver. Having entered F1 in 2023 after consecutively winning the F3 and F2 championships, the Australian impressed from the start, notably securing his first podium in Japan.
In 2024, he took advantage of McLaren’s resurgence to achieve his first victories, in Hungary after overtaking Norris due to team orders, and in Baku after a fierce duel against Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari for most of the race. Finishing fourth in the championship, the Australian driver was at times able to hold his own or even outpace his more experienced teammate. Even though the Briton scored 82 more points than Piastri, the former Haas director considers both drivers to be very close in terms of pace and talent.
« I think he’s very good and that he learned a lot last year. One of the things to watch this year is McLaren because in terms of talent, Lando and Oscar are very close. I think they have the same speed… And over the season, they’ll want one of their drivers to fight for the championship. Obviously, the pressure is now on Oscar, as he has proven he can do it. Now, he must want it even more. »
Becoming World Champion: Piastri’s Goal for 2025
A statement that coincides with the words of Oscar Piastri this Friday during the shakedown of the Woking team’s 2025 car. The Australian declared that he feels ready to become world champion this season, explaining that he has worked hard this winter in the simulator to address his shortcomings. « We start from a blank page, and I think I can become world champion this year. I feel that 12 months ago, I approached the year with some weaknesses that did not inspire confidence in me. During the season, I addressed them. Now it’s about making sure I give my best in every Grand Prix, and that’s what will make the difference. »
A regularity to find
The Australian is aware that to become world champion, he must address his weaknesses. In 2024, he occasionally lacked consistency. While the first half of his season was convincing, the end of his season, particularly during the American tour, saw him make several mistakes that almost cost McLaren the constructors’ title. Furthermore, the McLaren driver struggled in qualifying against Lando Norris (20 to 4), notably with a 17th place in Mexico. A poor grid position sometimes prevented him from fighting at the front. This season, he knows he must not make the same mistake and says he is capable of immediately matching his teammate’s pace.
« I think that if we can work on some of the things we identified during the off-season, then I will have many tools to try to become world champion. » The battle is likely to be exciting between the two McLaren drivers. Even if the Australian has stated that everyone starts from scratch, team orders within the British team cannot be ruled out. In this fierce duel, who will emerge victorious? The Australian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri’s homeland, will already give us a first indication.
