Oscar Piastri Needs 'Selfishness' to Secure His First F1 Championship

McLaren's Oscar Piastri, known for his composed driving, is currently a favorite for the F1 2025 title as the season nears its end. However, questions linger about whether he possesses the complete package needed for a championship win.

Why it matters:

According to former F1 driver David Coulthard, Piastri is missing a crucial trait: selfishness. This goes against McLaren's stated philosophy of fostering equal competition between its drivers, Lando Norris and Piastri, without favoring either for the championship.

The Details:

• Coulthard's View: Coulthard argues that top racing drivers are inherently 'selfish bastards' who fight their way to F1. He believes that both Norris and Piastri, despite being teammates, will eventually reach a point where individual victory outweighs team directives.
• Piastri's Current Standings: Despite recent challenging weekends in Italy and Azerbaijan, Piastri maintains his lead in the drivers' championship, although the gap is narrowing.
• Monza Incident: An example cited is the Monza Grand Prix, where Piastri complied with a team request to yield track position to Norris after a slow pit stop, potentially costing him valuable points.
• Every Point Counts: While the points difference between second and third place might seem small, in a tight championship battle, every single point can be decisive.
• Hakkinen's Perspective: Two-time champion Mika Hakkinen supports the idea of being selfish for personal success, acknowledging that it might not always look 'nice' for a young driver. However, he emphasizes Piastri's consistency and speed as powerful tools that will only improve.

Looking Ahead:

As the season approaches its climax in Abu Dhabi, the championship battle involving Piastri, Norris, and potentially Max Verstappen will necessitate a shift in focus from team objectives to individual driver ambitions. The timing and impact of this shift remain to be seen, but Piastri's ability to embrace a more 'selfish' approach could be the deciding factor in securing his maiden F1 title.