Jos Verstappen Advises Mark Webber on Oscar Piastri's 'Strange' Slump at McLaren

Oscar Piastri's F1 2025 championship bid has recently faltered, a turn of events that Jos Verstappen, father of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, finds 'strange.' Jos suggests that Piastri's manager, Mark Webber, needs to assertively address the situation internally at McLaren and that Piastri himself should 'fight back' to reclaim his momentum.

Why it matters:

Piastri's recent dip in performance, marked by uncharacteristic errors and inconsistent pace, raises questions about his ability to handle pressure and the team's internal dynamics. With the championship battle heating up, how McLaren manages its two promising drivers and how Piastri responds to this challenge could significantly impact the outcome of the season and his long-term career trajectory.

The details:

• Championship Reversal: In August, Piastri led Lando Norris by 34 points after a strong showing at the Dutch Grand Prix. However, heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix, Piastri now trails Norris by a single point, a dramatic shift in just a few rounds.
• Verstappen's Perspective: Jos Verstappen, drawing on his experience with a championship-winning son, believes Piastri hasn't 'suddenly forgotten how to drive.' He views the slump as 'quite strange' and advises a more assertive approach.
• Webber's Role: Jos urged Mark Webber, Piastri's manager and a nine-time Grand Prix winner, to 'bang my fist on the table internally' at McLaren to advocate for Piastri.
• Piastri's Call to Action: Verstappen also stressed that Piastri needs to 'fight back now' to counter the narrative that he might be buckling under pressure, which he believes is 'not good for your own name.'
• Favoritism Claims: While Jos avoided directly fueling speculation of McLaren favoring Norris, he acknowledged that the perception could arise given the current circumstances. Unfounded claims of McLaren favoritism towards Norris have gained fresh stimulus amid Piastri's slump.

Between the lines:

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO, has publicly stated the team's impartiality, emphasizing that they would rather lose the Drivers' title to an external competitor like Max Verstappen than favor either Norris or Piastri. He underscored the team's commitment to fair racing, referencing the 2007 season when two McLaren drivers (Hamilton and Alonso) tied on points, allowing Kimi Raikkonen to win. Brown's stance is that playing favorites goes against their racing ethos and that the best way to win the Constructors' Championship is to have both drivers vying for the Drivers' title.

What's next:

The upcoming races, particularly the Brazilian Grand Prix, will be crucial for Piastri to regain his form and challenge Norris. The advice from Jos Verstappen highlights the internal and external pressures on Piastri and Webber. How they navigate these challenges, whether through internal discussions or on-track performance, will be key to Piastri's championship aspirations and his standing within McLaren. The championship battle is set to be intense, and the next few rounds will likely reveal much about Piastri's resilience and McLaren's commitment to fair play.