Marko hails Piastri’s rise – but 'he’s not yet at Max’s level’

In a season where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has surged to the forefront of the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has lauded the young Australian’s remarkable progress.

Speaking to ServusTV last week, Marko, a veteran talent-spotter who has shaped the careers of countless drivers, including Max Verstappen and fellow four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, highlighted Piastri’s cool-headed precision and rapid development.

However, the Austrian was quick to temper his praise, asserting that the 24-year-old McLaren star, despite his impressive run, has not yet reached Verstappen’s towering heights.

Piastri’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. After a standout junior career with three consecutive championship titles, he joined McLaren in 2023, replacing compatriot Daniel Ricciardo in a move that saw the team fend off Alpine in a high-stakes contract dispute.

The gamble has paid off handsomely, with Piastri securing seven Grand Prix victories, including five in this season alone, propelling him to the top of the Drivers’ standings, with a 10-point advantage over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, while Verstappen is third, 49 points behind.

The Aussie’s always calm and composed demeanor as well as his consistent points-scoring streak have made him a standout, but Marko’s comments underscore that Verstappen’s blend of experience and raw brilliance remains the gold standard.

“Piastri learns very quickly,” Marko noted. “He prepares well and is tough in the decisive moments, while Lando Norris is more of a trial-and-error player and doesn’t display the same level of consistency.

“He’s a naturally cool-headed analyst,” he added. “Very little unsettles him. But he’s not yet at Max’s level.”

For Piastri, being mentioned in the same breath as Verstappen is a testament to his growing stature, but Marko’s words also serve as a reminder of the gap he still needs to bridge.

McLaren Stays Neutral in Title Duel

While Red Bull is focused solely on Verstappen in the championship hunt, McLaren is navigating a very different challenge: managing two title contenders in-house.

“I mean, it helps in some situations,” Piastri said, acknowledging the simplicity of Red Bull’s one-driver strategy.

“You don’t have to balance both of the strategies; you can put all the attention on Max. But at the same time, Lando and I do gain something from having each other pushing.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed both drivers are allowed to fight freely – at least for now.

“If you had a second driver that wasn’t competing for the championship, then I get it; sacrifice [Yuki] Tsunoda’s qualifying because he’s giving Max a tow or whatever,” Brown told PlanetF1.com.

• Read also: Piastri reveals crucial McLaren edge that Verstappen can’t rely on

“I get compromising the second car at Red Bull because it’s not competing for the Drivers’ Championship, so it’s an easy decision to make.

“But when you’ve got two drivers first and second in the championship and are separated by less than one second place finish, how do you possibly even consider standing one down into a supporting role? There’s just no way we will.”

With the battle heating up and Piastri’s star continuing to rise, the second half of the season promises an electrifying title showdown – with Verstappen and Marko watching closely.

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