Oscar Piastri declares 2025 F1 season 'head and shoulders' above first two campaigns

Oscar Piastri has declared his 2025 Formula 1 season was "head and shoulders" above his first two years in the sport, despite falling just short of the drivers' championship. The McLaren driver led the standings for a significant portion of the season before a late slump saw him finish third, 13 points behind teammate Lando Norris, with both securing seven Grand Prix wins.

Why it matters:

Piastri's self-assessment highlights a driver who has rapidly evolved from a promising rookie into a consistent title contender. His ability to lead the championship for much of the season and match his highly-rated teammate's win tally marks a critical step in his career, proving he can operate at the very front of the grid. The lessons learned from this intense campaign, both on and off track, are likely to shape him into an even stronger competitor for 2026.

The details:

• Piastri held the lead in the drivers' championship from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix through to the Mexico City race, demonstrating remarkable consistency and speed over the middle phase of the season.
• A late-season dip in form ultimately cost him, allowing Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen to capitalize and secure the top two positions.
• The 2025 season represented a massive leap in performance, improving from two wins and finishing 82 points behind Norris in 2024 to being a near-equal contender.
• Piastri cited a major breakthrough in his qualifying performance as a key factor in his elevated competitiveness.

Between the lines:

Piastri's comments reveal a mature perspective that extends beyond pure results. While disappointed with the final championship outcome, he focuses on the personal and professional growth achieved. He explicitly mentions gaining strength from "proving to myself what I can achieve," indicating a solidified self-belief that is crucial for a top driver. His acknowledgment of learning to deal with adversity and difficult moments outside the car points to the immense psychological pressure of a title fight and his development in managing it.

What's next:

Piastri is already channeling the experience into future improvement. He stated that lessons learned about driving technique, adapting to conditions, and personal resilience will make him stronger. Entering only his fourth season in 2026, he remains early in his F1 career with ample opportunity to challenge for the title again. The internal battle at McLaren is set to intensify, with Norris now fully aware that his teammate is a proven race winner and championship threat.