Piastri Under Pressure: Is His Manager the Right Fit?

Oscar Piastri, once a championship favorite, has hit a severe downturn in form, leading many experts to write him off in the title fight. However, one former team principal believes the McLaren driver is far from out of contention, while others question the influence of his manager.

Why it matters:

Piastri's recent struggles have not only seen him lose a significant championship lead but also raised questions about his mental fortitude and the support he receives. As the title battle intensifies, the dynamic within McLaren, particularly between Piastri and Lando Norris, could be pivotal. The emerging narrative also brings Max Verstappen back into a championship hunt that seemed over just weeks ago.

The Details:

• Dramatic Turnaround: Just a few weeks ago, Piastri led the championship by 309 points after winning the Dutch Grand Prix, with Norris 34 points behind and Verstappen a seemingly insurmountable 104 points back.
• Current Standings: After five challenging races, Piastri has not secured a podium finish and has lost his lead. He is now just one point behind Norris, while Verstappen is only 36 points adrift, re-entering contention.
• Expert Opinion (Villeneuve): Jacques Villeneuve asserts that Piastri has reached his limit and cannot improve further. He believes Norris, now comfortable with the car, has a clear edge in their intra-team battle, implying the car's adaptation suits Norris more than Piastri.
• Counter-Argument (Tost): Former Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost defends Piastri, pointing out his less experienced history compared to Norris. Tost highlights Piastri's past struggles at tracks like Austin, Singapore, and Mexico, suggesting he needs to navigate the upcoming Brazilian GP before hitting circuits where he has historically performed well (Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi). Tost also views Piastri as mentally stronger than Norris.
• Managerial Influence Questioned (Schumacher): Ralf Schumacher has observed that Piastri feels things are different within the team. Schumacher suggests Piastri needs a strong advisor to rebuild his confidence and trust in McLaren, but questions whether his manager, Mark Webber, is the right person. Webber, a former Red Bull teammate of Sebastian Vettel, reportedly developed paranoia during his 2010 title fight, feeling disadvantaged, leading to concerns that his past experiences might be negatively influencing Piastri now.

The Big Picture:

With Norris emerging as the clear favorite in the McLaren camp, and Piastri battling not only his form but also potential internal pressures amplified by his manager, the championship narrative has shifted dramatically. This internal dynamic could create an opening for Max Verstappen, who is now within striking distance despite being far behind earlier in the season. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's confidence in Verstappen's 'hunting dog' mentality suggests they believe the championship is now firmly within reach, especially with their focus solely on Verstappen.

What's next:

Piastri faces crucial races to regain his form and confidence, potentially needing to address the perceived lack of trust within his team, possibly with or without his current manager's help. The upcoming races in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi will be decisive in determining whether Piastri can overcome his slump and challenge Norris and Verstappen for the title.