Oscar Piastri impresses, but "not yet at Max's level" according to Helmut Marko
Leader of the 2025 championship, Oscar Piastri confirms his growing talent. But for Helmut Marko, the Australian has yet to reach the heights of Max Verstappen.
Oscar Piastri dominates the 2025 World Championship, with five victories in hand and a ten-point lead over teammate Lando Norris. However, according to Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor, there is still room before he can be compared to Max Verstappen.
« Piastri learns very quickly », acknowledges Helmut Marko in an interview with ServusTV. « He's a very calm, analytical guy. Nothing seems to really unsettle him. He's getting stronger and stronger. »
But the Austrian immediately tempers: « He is not at Max's level yet. In Monaco, Lando was clearly better. He still has some ups and downs. »
Two very different trajectories
At 24 years old, Oscar Piastri could, like Max Verstappen in 2021, become world champion. But their paths to the top diverge deeply. The Dutchman started in F1 at just 17 years old and already has over 160 starts and four world titles.
Oscar Piastri, on the other hand, climbed the ranks in a more traditional way: champion in F3 then F2 in his first season, reserve driver at Alpine in 2022, and then a full-time driver at McLaren starting in 2023.
« It should not be forgotten that Piastri is only in his third season », reminds former driver Christian Klien. « Comparing his level to Max's is almost unfair. »
The pressure shifts at McLaren
Christian Klien goes further in his analysis: « He has already progressed enormously since last year. He has impressive maturity. Lando Norris is extremely fast, but you can feel he is starting to bend under the pressure from Piastri. »
If Lando Norris has two victories this season, his young teammate already has five. And even though the gap remains narrow in the championship, the student seems to be slowly getting ahead of his elder.
Read also:Lando Norris reveals a change in tone in his rivalry with Oscar Piastri
A new generation asserting itself
Oscar Piastri may not yet be at Max's level according to the Red Bull advisor, but his meteoric rise commands respect. In an increasingly crowded field, the Australian embodies this new wave of drivers with unwavering composure. And if he maintains this progression, the gap with Max Verstappen could quickly become much more symbolic than real.
