F1 legend backs Piastri for F1 glory, calls Norris ‘mentally weak'

The sun is shining bright on Australian motorsport, and 1980 Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones is positively buzzing about the nation’s latest racing sensation, Oscar Piastri.

At just 24, Piastri is tearing up the 2025 F1 season, leading the championship standings with three wins from five races.

For Jones, a man who is never afraid of speaking his mind, his young countryman is “without a doubt” world championship material, and only the fourth Aussie to ever top the points standings in F1 – alongside Jack Brabham, Mark Webber, and Jones himself.

“He is without a doubt a future world champion,” Jones told The Back Page.

“He’s come out of almost nowhere and he’s got all the attributes that you need to be a world champion. Like any Aussie, it’s been fantastic.

“If you can tune into any sporting event and there’s an Aussie who’s a frontrunner or has a chance at achieving victory, it just makes it that much more interesting for you.”

Jones Applauds Piastri’s Steel

Much of Piastri’s 2025 success has been built on a cool head and fearless driving, including a memorable wheel-to-wheel battle with Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabia.

While others may flinch under pressure from the Dutch powerhouse, Jones says Piastri’s strength lies in his mental resolve — and that’s what separates him.

“He sees a gap and goes for it, and Oscar is not going to be put off by that,” said Jones.

“There’s a lot of other drivers he’ll bluff and hold them to ransom a bit, but I believe Oscar has got the mental strength not to put up with that crap.

“He’ll just take it for what it is and give it back to him.”

That unflinching mindset is, to Jones, the hallmark of a champion. He praised Piastri as a driver with “an old head on young shoulders” — someone who doesn’t need the spotlight or drama to let his performance shine.

“Oscar is a pretty strong-minded young kid. I love him,” continued the 78-year-old F1 veteran.

“He doesn’t show off, he doesn’t dance all over the place, he’s just a strong individual and that’s exactly what we need to get the job done.

“He’s got an old head on young shoulders. He’s very, very mature, very laid back and he’s not easily ruffled, whereas I think his teammate is a little bit the opposite way.

“I think the teammate could be blown out quite easily and I think Oscar will take advantage of that. He’s got the brains and the strength to do that.

“He’s very laid back, he doesn’t say much and he gets on with it, which I love. Out of the car he’s quiet, but when he gets in the car he grows horns and that’s what you want.”

Jones Slams Norris as “Mentally Weak”

While Piastri is surging, his McLaren teammate Lando Norris has faced a bumpier start to the season.

Despite opening the year with a win on home soil in Australia, Norris has since struggled — notably crashing out in Jeddah and slipping back in the standings. And for Jones, the contrast between the two teammates couldn’t be more stark.

“The first person you’ve got to beat is your teammate,” insisted the former Williams driver.

“[Piastri] can do [win the F1 title] this year, no question. At the end of the day, his teammate is weak. His teammate is quite quick, there’s no doubt about that, but mentally, I think he’s quite a weak person.

“He’s coming out with all this nonsense that he’s got a bit of a mental thing, he’s dwelling on some of the problems he’s had rather than the positives.

“When they start talking all that nonsense, you know you’ve got them.”

• Read also: Can nice guys win in F1? Norris and Piastri say yes

Jones' no-nonsense style might be from a different era, but his insight carries weight.

As someone who once dominated F1 with 12 wins and 24 podiums, he knows exactly what separates good from great — and in Oscar Piastri, he sees a driver destined for greatness.

If Piastri continues on his current trajectory, Alan Jones might not be the only living Aussie F1 world champion for much longer.

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