Jenson Button Offers Advice to Oscar Piastri Amidst F1 Title Battle

2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has offered crucial advice to current championship leader Oscar Piastri, as the young Australian navigates the intense pressure of his first drivers’ championship fight. Piastri is locked in a tight battle with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, with a resurgent Max Verstappen now also threatening their lead.

Why it matters:

• For a driver in his second season, contending for an F1 world championship is a monumental achievement, but also brings immense pressure.
• Piastri's ability to manage this pressure, especially against a formidable teammate and a four-time world champion, will be critical to his championship hopes and future career trajectory.
• Button's insights, drawn from his own championship-winning experience, offer a unique perspective on the mental game required at the pinnacle of motorsport.

The Details:

• Heading into the Mexican Grand Prix, the final five races of the 2025 season, Piastri holds a 14-point lead over Norris and a 40-point lead over Verstappen.
• Challenging US Grand Prix: The recent United States Grand Prix weekend was particularly tough for Piastri.
  • A Turn 1 crash in the sprint race forced both him and Norris to retire.
  • He qualified P6 for the main race and finished fifth, while Verstappen won both the sprint and grand prix, and Norris secured second in the grand prix.
• Button's 'Tricky Situation' Analysis: Button described Piastri's current predicament as a "tricky situation," noting that the McLaren car isn't performing as strongly as it did early in the season.
  • "The car isn’t performing as he would have hoped, and as it was at the start of the year. It was so strong, they were unbeatable. Now, you’re slightly on the back foot with the car, and personally, you’re thinking about the world championship."
  • Button emphasized that thinking about not losing points and avoiding mistakes can sometimes lead to those very errors.
• Personal Experience: Button admitted to making too many mistakes during his own 2009 championship fight due to self-imposed pressure, highlighting the importance of learning from others' experiences.
• Mark Webber's Influence: Piastri is managed by former F1 driver Mark Webber, who Button believes can help guide him through these challenging times and maintain a positive mindset.
• McLaren's Stance: McLaren has so far allowed both Piastri and Norris to race freely, not backing either driver in the title fight. Piastri believes it's still "far too close to start picking one over the other."

What's next:

With five races remaining, the championship battle is poised for a thrilling conclusion. Piastri will need to leverage Button's advice on managing pressure and rely on his team's continued support to hold off Norris and Verstappen. The upcoming Mexican Grand Prix will be a crucial indicator of how Piastri responds to the recent setbacks and the escalating championship intensity.