Steiner Gives Blunt Assessment of Piastri's F1 Title Chances Amidst McLaren's 'Papaya Rules'

Guenther Steiner, a long-time observer of Formula 1, has delivered a candid assessment of Oscar Piastri's current form and his championship prospects. After previously warning McLaren about potentially hindering Piastri's title bid, Steiner now sees Max Verstappen as the clear favorite to defend his crown with just four races remaining in the season.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's pursuit of a breakthrough engine could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape of F1. A powerful yet reliable power unit is crucial for a team aiming to challenge the established frontrunners and return to championship contention, a position they haven't held consistently since 2018.

The Details:

• Steiner believes McLaren's internal policy of treating both drivers equally, dubbed the "papaya rules," is inadvertently aiding Max Verstappen by causing Piastri and Norris to continually take points from each other.
• Piastri's recent fifth-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Norris secured a dominant win, has further widened the gap, leaving Piastri one point behind Norris in the standings. Verstappen, though 35 points adrift, is gaining significant momentum.
• Steiner criticized Piastri's Mexico performance as "not good enough to be world champion," suggesting that a lack of team support for his championship bid may be eroding his confidence and "mojo."
• Impact on Confidence: The "papaya rules" and the perceived equal treatment of drivers, Steiner argues, might have led to Piastri losing confidence, especially after an early season where he seemed to be in control.
• Shifting Dynamics: Piastri started the season strong, securing four wins in five races. However, since the summer break, he has managed only one victory and one additional podium, making him vulnerable to both Norris' resurgence and Verstappen's charge.
• Villeneuve's Perspective: Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve theorizes that Piastri might have become complacent after leading the championship for 15 rounds. He suggests that competing solely against a teammate might prevent a driver from pushing to the absolute limit. Villeneuve believes Norris' improved performance and Verstappen's strong run have exposed the current limits of Piastri's pace.

What's next:

With only four races left and three drivers still in contention, Piastri faces a pivotal weekend in Brazil. The upcoming race will be crucial for him to regain his earlier season form, silence the growing doubts, and reignite his championship challenge amidst intense pressure from his teammate and a charging Verstappen.