As the fight for the F1 world title heats up, former Grand Prix driver Johnny Herbert has lauded Oscar Piastri’s “extraordinary” mental fortitude and racecraft, and tipped McLaren to favor the Aussie over teammate Lando Norris in the championship battle.
Piastri’s commending display last weekend in Saudi Arabia earned the 24-year-old his third win in five races.
Capitalizing on a time penalty handed to Max Verstappen for a track limits infringement, Piastri displayed maturity and precision beyond his years to seize victory and take the championship lead.
This performance, coupled with his solid consistency throughout the season, has Herbert convinced that Piastri is the real deal.
“Oscar Piastri has just been able to show he's able to outwit Max Verstappen,” Herbert told Beste Online Casino.
“His mental strength, his speed, his consistency and his racecraft have been really impressive this season and he presents himself so well and he is so calm over the radio.”
Herbert’s admiration for Piastri wasn’t just about his recent win – it was a broader endorsement of the young driver’s temperament and potential to go all the way.
“Piastri is doing the job he needs to win this year’s championship. He has a similar mental strength as Verstappen,” Herbert said.
“Piastri's mental capabilities are extraordinary. Mark Webber has done a brilliant job in managing him, they seem to have a great understanding and respect for each other, which has helped get the best of Piastri in the cockpit.”
For Herbert, it’s not just about talent; it’s about politics and perception inside the team – a lesson Webber, Piastri’s manager and former Red Bull driver, knows all too well.
“Webber has been in difficult and tight situations, he's learned that you need to have the team on your side,” Herbert added. “It looks like McLaren might be siding with Piastri a bit more.”
That subtle shift in internal dynamics could be crucial. As the season progresses, teams often face the delicate decision of throwing their weight behind one driver in a title fight.
Piastri’s clean, composed execution – paired with his rising confidence – may make him the more attractive bet.
In contrast, Lando Norris, who entered 2025 as a clear title contender and McLaren’s poster boy, has struggled to find consistent form.
His qualifying crash in Jeddah left him with ground to make up, and though he recovered to finish fourth, questions are beginning to surface.
“Lando Norris is sadly making too many mistakes,” Herbert said. “Qualifying in Saudi Arabia was a prime example of it. It was a bit unlucky but when you go onto that curb at that speed, you're done for.
“Is it pressure getting to Norris? Yes, but every driver has that pressure and some can deal with it better than others, but I feel he can jump back into contention because he is very fast.”
Herbert did acknowledge the Briton’s talent, but warned that errors – especially early in the season – can have a lasting effect.
“Piastri only made a big mistake in Melbourne, but that was purely a circumstance of rain pouring down on a particular part of a corner on the track at the wrong time,” explained the three-time Grand Prix winner.
“Piastri suffered more than Norris did from that, which is unlucky, I guess.
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“These mistakes Norris is producing are what can harm your championship hopes, but let's not forget, he started tenth and finished fourth, it was still a great drive.
“However, we learned from last season that you have to start well to give yourself the best chance of winning the championship.”
With McLaren now leading both championships and Piastri staking a serious claim to the crown, the team may soon be forced to make a call.
If Herbert is right, that call could lean in favor of the calm, calculated Aussie already proving he can go wheel-to-wheel with the best in the world.
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