Piastri's Engineer on 'Slightly Dangerous' Title Pressure

Oscar Piastri's race engineer, Tom Stallard, admits the championship leader is in a 'slightly dangerous' position, feeling 'this' is his chance, which intensifies the pressure. However, Stallard believes Piastri possesses the mental fortitude to manage it.

Why it matters:

Piastri's 22-point lead over Lando Norris heading into the Austin Sprint is a tight margin, especially after Norris closed a significant gap in recent races. This championship battle is not just about driver skill but also about mental resilience, with every point proving crucial in the fight for the title.

The details:

• Shrinking Lead: Piastri's lead, once 34 points after the Dutch Grand Prix, has dwindled, with Norris outscoring him in the last three races.
• Controversial Incidents: McLaren's team orders at the Italian Grand Prix (forcing Piastri to cede P2 to Norris after a pit stop error) and Norris's aggressive move on Piastri at the Singapore start have added layers of tension and complexity to their intra-team rivalry.
• Recent Struggles: Piastri had his worst weekend of the season in Baku, crashing in both qualifying and the Grand Prix. In Singapore, he failed to attack Norris despite running behind him after the controversial start.
• Sprint Qualifying in Austin: Piastri described his Austin Sprint qualifying lap as "scruffy," placing him P3 behind Max Verstappen and Norris, further highlighting his recent challenges.
• Engineer's Perspective: Tom Stallard, Piastri's race engineer, views the "this is our chance" mentality as "slightly dangerous" because pressure handling is about consistent performance rather than seeking magic. Yet, he is confident in Piastri's ability to cope.

Between the lines:

While Piastri's cool and stoic demeanor has been a hallmark of his season, recent events suggest the mounting pressure might be impacting his performance. Mistakes in Baku and a noticeable frustration in Singapore contrast with his earlier, more composed outings. This shift raises questions about whether the weight of a potential maiden championship is starting to show, particularly in light of next year's regulatory reset creating a 'one-and-done' feeling for the current season.

What's next:

If Piastri can navigate the final races with renewed composure and minimize errors, he stands to become Australia's first F1 World Champion since Alan Jones in 1980. His ability to "do his thing" and not crack under the immense pressure will be the defining factor in this high-stakes championship battle.