Is Oscar Piastri’s Formula 1 dream turning into a nightmare? A prominent voice in the F1 world, the ever-candid Guenther Steiner, has ignited a firestorm by suggesting the young McLaren driver should seriously consider jumping ship! But here's where it gets controversial... Are the rumors of tension within McLaren and preferential treatment towards Lando Norris actually impacting Piastri's performance, or is this simply a rough patch for a rising star?
Piastri, currently locked into a contract with McLaren until 2028, has been plagued by whispers that he's unhappy and looking for an exit. These rumors are fueled by conspiracy theories suggesting that McLaren is favoring his teammate, Lando Norris. While both are incredibly talented, the perception of imbalance can be incredibly damaging to a driver's confidence and team dynamics.
Piastri's recent form hasn't helped quell the speculation. Since Monza in early September, he hasn't reached the podium. And this is the part most people miss... He’s also seen Norris overtake him in the driver standings, with Norris now considered a frontrunner for the world title. Adding to the pressure, Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, is rapidly closing the gap. Just a few months ago in August, Verstappen was trailing by over 100 points, a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Currently, with only three races remaining, Norris holds a 24-point advantage over Piastri, while Verstappen is 49 points behind the leader. This shift in momentum has sparked widespread speculation about what's happening behind closed doors at McLaren.
Steiner, known for his no-nonsense approach, didn't mince words on the Red Flags podcast during a "gas or brake" segment (meaning agree or disagree with statements). When asked if Piastri should leave McLaren, Steiner responded with a resounding "Gas!"
He elaborated, stating, "Especially if he doesn’t win the championship. I think he has a good chance to get in any other good car. He’s a good driver. And change sometimes is good. He’s young enough; he can adapt to it. He should, and I think he will.” Steiner believes Piastri's talent is undeniable and that a fresh start could be exactly what he needs to reignite his spark.
Steiner also weighed in on whether Verstappen would finish ahead of Piastri in the championship standings, again answering with "Gas." He pointed to Verstappen's recent performance, particularly highlighting his resilience in Brazil after a difficult qualifying session. "You guys saw what happened in Brazil, or not in Brazil, the last four races. So, why not?” Steiner questioned. Boldly highlighting any point in the article that could spark differing opinions. "I mean, he continues to do it."
Steiner continued, “If you say that Oscar is now destroyed mentally, I mean, Max will be ahead of him, absolutely. And Max is motivated like hell. As we can see in Brazil, he didn’t give up after a crappy qualifying. He rolled his sleeves up and made it better, and finished on the podium.” This is a very strong statement, and perhaps a controversial one, suggesting Piastri's mental state might be affecting his performance.
Expanding on his recommendation for Piastri to consider a change of scenery, Steiner advised, “I think if that is happening, he just needs to regroup over the winter and come back stronger than before. Otherwise, if he doesn’t come back stronger, I think the best is that he changes teams then. That’s my opinion about it. Because otherwise, you don’t get it back. But he could come back, because I still rate him highly.” Steiner emphasizes the importance of a strong mental reset, suggesting that if Piastri can't bounce back, a team change is the best course of action to salvage his career.
F1’s next act unfolds this weekend in Las Vegas, with the race scheduled for 3pm (AEST) on Sunday. The question remains: will Piastri silence the critics and prove his worth at McLaren, or is a change of scenery truly in his best interest? What do you think? Should Piastri stay and fight, or seek a fresh start elsewhere? Is McLaren truly favoring Norris, or is this just part of the competitive landscape of F1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
