McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has brushed off Red Bull team boss Christian Horner’s claim that upcoming FIA stricter front wing tests, set to debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, could derail the papaya team’s 2025 campaign.
With the new regulations looming at round nine, Horner hints at a potential shake-up in the title race, but Piastri remains unfazed, projecting confidence in McLaren’s ability to stay competitive all season long.
As the championship battle heats up – with Max Verstappen trailing Lando Norris by just one point after three rounds – Piastri’s dismissal of Horner’s warning underscores McLaren’s belief in their pace and adaptability.
Piastri Addresses Horner’s ‘Game-Changer’ Claim
The FIA’s move to introduce more rigorous tests targeting flexible front wings in Barcelona is rooted in the governing body’s ongoing scrutiny, with Red Bull insisting McLaren has been exploiting this grey area.
Horner, speaking to Channel 4 after Suzuka, framed the change as pivotal.
“So we’re one point behind in the driver’s championship. Don’t underestimate the regulation change of race nine, you know, with these front wings. That could be a game-changer,” he said.
Yet, Piastri, addressing the Red Bull chief’s assertion during Thursday’s FIA press conference in Bahrain, downplayed its significance.
“I’m pretty confident we will be strong all year,” he declared. “I don’t think it will change too much. I’ve not spoken to the team about it massively, which probably tells you enough about that,” he said.
McLaren chief designer Rob Marshall with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
With several races still to come before Spain, he keeps his focus on the bigger picture.
“Let’s see when we get to Spain, but we’ve still got a lot of races until then. I think we will be a strong team all year round.”
The 24-year-old expressed his confidence despite McLaren’s defeat at the hands of Red Bull – and especially Max Verstappen – in Suzuka, where qualifying woes saw Verstappen snatch pole and the win, tightening the drivers’ standings.
Suzuka Setback Fuels Optimism
McLaren’s Suzuka weekend exposed vulnerabilities, with both Piastri and Norris struggling to prevail in qualifying trim, paving the way for Verstappen’s unexpected triumph.
The Dutchman’s victory slashed Norris’ championship lead to a single point, intensifying the title fight. Yet, Piastri sees opportunity ahead, particularly with Bahrain’s forecast of warmer temperatures and higher tyre degradation—conditions he believes could favor McLaren’s strengths.
“Hard to know. I think Melbourne, especially on the inters, was a very good race,” he reflects, pointing to earlier success as a benchmark.
Piastri also draws lessons from Japan. “A good show of pace, but like you said, managing the tyres. I think Japan, if we had track position, potentially the race would have looked quite different.
“We will have to wait and see. It’s very hot today,” he noted during Thursday’s presser.
“I think Sunday is supposed to be a little bit cooler. I think it being a little bit more difficult on tyres and a bit warmer probably will be more friendly for us than others, I hope.”
Piastri’s steadfast belief in McLaren’s resilience counters Horner’s narrative, signaling a team undeterred by regulatory shifts or Red Bull’s mind games.
With the championship race razor-tight and the Spanish Grand Prix still months away, McLaren’s focus remains on capitalizing on their early-season form – despite last weekend’s Suzuka hiccup.
As Horner’s “game-changer” looms, Piastri’s cool-headed response keeps the spotlight on McLaren’s performance, not their rivals’ predictions.
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