Oscar Piastri’s Championship hopes grow vulnerable

Oscar Piastri’s 2025 title charge is showing cracks — not because of a loss of form, but due to circumstance. As the Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, the Australian faces a subtle yet significant disadvantage that could alter the course of the championship fight.

Piastri will miss multiple FP1 sessions over the coming rounds, including in Mexico and possibly later in the season, due to McLaren’s need to allocate seat time to a rookie driver for the FIA’s mandatory young-driver requirement.

At first glance, missing a practice session may seem trivial, but in a title race separated by fine margins, it’s potentially decisive. FP1 is critical for gathering data, testing setups, and understanding tyre behaviour — especially on unpredictable circuits like Mexico City and Las Vegas.

Without that extra track time, Piastri risks starting key weekends on the back foot while his closest rivals, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, enjoy a full run of preparation.

With five races remaining, the standings are delicately poised:

Oscar Piastri 346  points

Lando Norris 332 (-14)

Max Verstappen 306 (-40)

A total of 141 points remain available across the final stretch:

Five Race Wins: 25 points each = 125 points

Two Sprint Wins: Eigh points each = 16 points

Total Possible: 141 points

Every session matters — and even a minor edge in preparation could tip the scales.

Verstappen’s back-to-back wins in Austin reignited his season, reminding the grid why he’s a triple world champion. To reclaim the top spot, he must outscore Piastri by an average of 8.2 points per round, a tall but not impossible task.

The Dutchman thrives under pressure, and if he maintains the form he showed in the United States, Piastri’s cushion could vanish quickly. Verstappen will know there is zero margin for error — every race from Mexico to Abu Dhabi must be executed to perfection.

While Verstappen fights to stay alive in the title hunt, Norris may be the real wildcard. Just 14 points behind his teammate, Norris has flown under the radar, combining pace with remarkable consistency.

Unlike Piastri, he won’t miss any FP1 sessions, giving him a valuable advantage in track time and preparation. Should McLaren’s cars remain evenly matched, Norris could easily capitalise on any slip-up — or a single low-scoring weekend — from Piastri.

 For Piastri, the coming weeks will test more than his speed. Missing FP1 sessions could mean starting some weekends on the back foot, especially on new or complex circuits. A single poor qualifying or misjudged setup could swing the championship toward Verstappen or Norris.

McLaren faces the delicate task of managing regulations without compromising their contender’s title hopes. Piastri’s composure and adaptability have carried him this far — but with two rivals closing in and less track time to prepare, his championship dream has never looked more vulnerable.

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