Guenther Steiner on Oscar Piastri: 'Not Good Enough' for Championship

Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal, has critically assessed Oscar Piastri's recent performances, particularly after the Mexican Grand Prix, stating that the Australian's current form is "not good enough" to win the world championship. These comments come as Piastri has fallen behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the championship standings with four races remaining in the F1 2025 season.

Why it matters:

After leading the championship for a significant portion of the season, Piastri's recent dip in form and Steiner's pointed remarks highlight the immense pressure and scrutiny faced by drivers vying for a world title. This assessment from a seasoned F1 figure like Steiner could put additional pressure on Piastri and fuel the intra-team rivalry at McLaren, potentially impacting the final championship outcome.

The Details:

• Championship Battle: Piastri and Norris have been engaged in a close battle for the F1 2025 world championship. Piastri led the standings from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix until Norris's victory in Mexico.
• Steiner's Critique: Guenther Steiner specifically cited Piastri's Mexican Grand Prix performance as insufficient for a championship contender. "It wasn’t good enough to be world champion," Steiner remarked.
• Loss of 'Mojo': Steiner suggested that Piastri might be struggling due to a perceived lack of team support in his championship bid, leading to a loss of "mojo."
• Initial Season Success: Piastri started the F1 2025 campaign without the pressure Norris faced as the unofficial team leader. This allowed him to perform strongly, securing four wins in five races from China to Miami and five wins in eight starts up to the Spanish Grand Prix.
• Post-Break Performance: Since the mid-season break, Piastri has only managed one victory (Zandvoort) and a third-place finish (Italy). He also recorded his first retirement since his rookie season in Azerbaijan.
• McLaren's 'Papaya Rules': Steiner believes McLaren's emphasis on equality between drivers, or "papaya rules" as he called them, might have negatively impacted Piastri's confidence. He suggested these rules, involving directives like "let him pass, let him go, you go, I go," could be detrimental.
• Qualifying Struggle: Steiner noted Piastri's difficulty in qualifying in Mexico, where he started seventh after Carlos Sainz's grid penalty. Starting further down the grid significantly hampered his chances.
• Mexican GP Outcome: Despite starting seventh, Piastri finished fifth in Mexico, just 1.1 seconds behind Oliver Bearman. However, Norris's win meant Piastri ceded the championship lead, with Norris now a single point ahead.

What's next:

With the Sao Paulo Grand Prix next on the calendar and only four races remaining, Piastri faces a crucial period to regain his championship form. Overcoming Steiner's public criticism and the perceived confidence issues will be vital for him to challenge Norris for the title. McLaren's management of the intra-team rivalry and their "papaya rules" will also be under increased scrutiny as the championship battle intensifies.