Mark Webber's 'Only Human' Verdict on Oscar Piastri's Baku Woes

Oscar Piastri, typically known for his calm demeanor, endured a challenging Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend marked by uncharacteristic errors, prompting his manager and former F1 driver Mark Webber to acknowledge that Piastri is "only human." These missteps allowed Max Verstappen to significantly close the gap in the Drivers' Championship, setting the stage for increased scrutiny on Piastri as he navigates his first title battle.

Why it matters:

Piastri's recent struggles in Baku, a stark contrast to his usual unflappable style, have injected new tension into the Drivers' Championship. With Max Verstappen capitalizing on these errors, the title race is tightening, placing immense pressure on Piastri to rebound and prove his mettle under championship-level scrutiny. This weekend serves as a critical test of his ability to handle adversity in a high-stakes environment.

The details:

• Piastri's weekend began poorly in qualifying, where he caused one of six red flags, a new record, by crashing into barriers in Q3, leaving him P9 on the grid.
• His race unravelled with a false start, causing him to drop to last and enter anti-stall.
• Further compounding his difficulties, Piastri overshot Turn 5 and crashed, ending his race prematurely.
• Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, who texted with Webber, confirmed Webber's take: "He said that Oscar is only human."
• Championship Impact: Verstappen's back-to-back victories have reduced Piastri's lead to 69 points with seven rounds remaining, creating an unexpected title challenge.
• Doornbos defended Piastri, noting his relative inexperience compared to a seasoned driver like Verstappen.

Looking Ahead:

Despite the setback, Piastri remains focused on improvement rather than the championship standings. He is still 25 points ahead of Lando Norris and is already looking ahead to Singapore, determined to bounce back.

• Piastri stated, "I’m not going to rule [Verstappen] out, but I’m honestly not too concerned with that. I’m just trying to bounce back from this weekend and put in the best performances that I can."
• He believes that if he returns to his usual form, he will be "more than okay," highlighting his confidence in his own abilities.
• This mindset is crucial for a young driver facing the intense pressures of a title fight, indicating a strong mental approach to overcoming recent challenges.