Oscar Piastri Receives 'Brutal' Feedback on F1 Title Setback: 'He's Struggling'

Oscar Piastri's performance in Mexico has drawn sharp criticism from former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, who stated the Australian's showing was "not good enough to be world champion" and acknowledged he is "struggling." This feedback comes after a disappointing Mexico City Grand Prix where Piastri was significantly outpaced by teammate Lando Norris, finishing fifth while Norris secured victory.

Why it matters:

Piastri's recent dip in form is critical as he has now lost the lead in the drivers' championship for the first time since Saudi Arabia, falling one point behind Norris. This setback raises questions about his consistency and ability to maintain a title challenge, especially after a strong start to the season that saw him emerge as a serious contender.

The details:

• Mexico City Grand Prix Performance: Piastri finished 42 seconds behind race-winner Lando Norris in fifth place, highlighting a significant pace deficit throughout the weekend.
• Championship Standing: Piastri has now dropped to second in the drivers' championship, trailing Norris by a single point.
• Recent Struggles: The Australian driver has not secured a podium finish in the last four races, indicating a challenging period since the summer break.
• Steiner's Assessment: Guenther Steiner, on the Red Flags podcast, attributed Piastri's struggles partly to a perceived lack of team support from McLaren in his championship bid. Steiner suggested that this could lead to a loss of confidence and 'mojo'.
• Confidence and Pressure: Steiner believes that Piastri, who started the season with less pressure as an unofficial 'number two' to Norris, now faces higher expectations. As he started winning races and positioning himself as a contender, the dynamics shifted.
• Qualifying Issues: Since the summer break, qualifying has been a particular weak point for Piastri, with his pole position in Zandvoort being an anomaly. Steiner linked this to a potential loss of confidence affecting his individual performance.
• 'Papaya Rules' Impact: Steiner also alluded to McLaren's team orders, or 'papaya rules', suggesting that instructions on letting teammates pass (e.g., "let [Piastri] pass, let [Norris] go, you go, I go, let Max go") could have contributed to Piastri losing confidence and focus. He argued that such complexities can be detrimental, especially in qualifying where drivers are on their own.

Between the lines:

Steiner's comments suggest a deeper psychological impact on Piastri, where external pressures and internal team dynamics might be eroding his self-belief. His observation about Piastri losing his 'mojo' and the team's role in supporting a championship push highlights the intricate mental game within F1, where driver confidence is paramount.

What's next:

McLaren will need to carefully manage the intra-team rivalry and ensure both drivers feel fully supported as the championship battle intensifies. For Piastri, regaining his qualifying pace and consistent race performance will be crucial to re-establishing his championship challenge and silencing critics. His ability to bounce back from this 'struggling' period will define his true championship credentials.