Australian Legends Defend Oscar Piastri Against Rosberg and Villeneuve Criticism

Australian motorsport veterans James Courtney and Garth Tander have rejected sharp criticism of Oscar Piastri from former world champions Nico Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve. Following the Barcelona Grand Prix, Rosberg and Villeneuve claimed Piastri's stock had fallen and that he had faded from the front-running conversation. His compatriots argue McLaren's difficult start to the 2026 season is the real issue, pointing out that Piastri remains just five points behind teammate Lando Norris.

Why it matters:

The backlash underscores how quickly perceptions shift in Formula 1 after a single off-weekend. Rosberg and Villeneuve cited Piastri's fifth-place finish in Barcelona—half a minute behind Norris—as evidence of decline, but their assessment overlooks the broader context of McLaren's early technical struggles. For a driver widely considered a future title contender, prematurely diminished stock could influence future contract talks and seat opportunities despite the on-track reality telling a different story.

The details:

• The criticism: After Barcelona, Rosberg told Sky Sports that Piastri's "market value has taken a bit of a plunge," while Villeneuve claimed "nobody's talking about him anymore."
• The defense: Supercars champion Courtney called the take "incredibly harsh" and suggested the former champions have been "out of it a little too long" to grasp the full picture. He argued McLaren "hasn't shined" as a team in 2026, making it impossible for Piastri to stand out alone.
• The numbers: Tander emphasized that Piastri trails Norris by only five points. Both drivers share identical major results—two podiums, one second place, one third, and two fifths—with their championship gap coming down to Sprint performances alone.
• Shared misfortune: Both McLaren drivers have suffered electrical issues leading to a Did Not Start, while Norris retired in Canada and Monaco with technical failures. Piastri's Australian GP crash resulted from a power surge on the way to the grid, and a botched tire strategy cost him in Canada.
• Market reality: Tander insists Piastri remains the first call for top teams like Red Bull or Mercedes should a seat open, dismissing the idea that his reputation has actually suffered among decision-makers.

The big picture:

McLaren's struggles with the MCL40 under the 2026 regulations have put both drivers in a difficult spot. The team has battled engine and battery reliability issues while both Piastri and Norris have publicly called for more downforce. As the season progresses, their fortunes are tied to the car's development. If McLaren can solve its underlying problems, Piastri should have every opportunity to remind the paddock why he was considered one of the brightest talents on the grid—and why writing him off after Barcelona was premature.