Piastri: ‘Attacking’ key to championship push in 2025

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri believes that staying aggressive, race after race, will ensure his greatest chance of winning the world title at the end of the year.

After a commanding victory in Bahrain – his second of the season after a win in China – Piastri sits just three points shy of his Mclaren teammate Lando Norris, underlining his growing momentum.

But it was his early-season misstep at the Australian Grand Prix that tested his resolve, as he slid off in difficult conditions and left Melbourne empty-handed.

Yet, the McLaren driver quickly turned the page, showcasing a mental strength that has become a hallmark of his racing persona.

“I think it is a strength of mine, yes. I think one of hopefully a few strengths of mine, but it is something that I have kind of recognised myself as a point of difference and is something that I’ve tried to work on,” he said, speaking in Jeddah ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

“Even after Melbourne, it was painful in the few days afterwards, but I think the fact that I had such a strong weekend through practice, qualifying and was on the pace in the race, that was more encouragement than disappointment.”

“I feel like the whole season has been going well and I’ve just been trying to get the most out of what we know is a quick car.”

“It’s been a fun first few races and hopefully, more

Why Attacking Is the Plan

With McLaren looking like the team to beat in the early stages of 2025, a potential intra-team title battle between Piastri and Norris is already brewing. But rather than adopt a conservative approach, Piastri is sticking to his guns: go flat out.

“I think it’s just genuinely very early. We’ve still got 20 races to go. I’m under no illusion that I’m trying to fight for a championship, but I knew that from before the season started,” he said.

“For me, the best way of trying to achieve that, especially at this early point in the year, is just by doing the best job you can each weekend and scoring the most points you can, then seeing where you end up towards the end of the year.”

“But the number one defence of a championship is by attacking and, for me at the moment, trying to win races and qualify on pole position, that is going to be the best help for my championship.”

“I’ll try to do that, but it’s also the most fun way of going racing, trying to win the race, so I’ll keep doing it.”

Read also:

• Webber: Piastri rising in F1 against ‘some serious artillery’

Piastri’s approach is clear: there will be no calculations, no playing it safe.

For the 23-year-old McLaren star, fighting at the front is not just effective – it’s enjoyable. And as the season unfolds, his blend of mental strength and on-track aggression might just prove to be the formula for championship glory.

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