Piastri unshaken: ‘I still fully believe I can win the title’

After a bruising weekend in Austin, Oscar Piastri saw his points cushion in the Driver’s standings shrink alarmingly, but the championship leader insists he’s as confident as ever that the 2025 title is still his to lose.

The Aussie’s race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas was a test of temperament as much as talent. A first-lap tangle with teammate Lando Norris put him out of Saturday’s sprint, while Sunday’s main event yielded only fifth place.

The damage in the standings, however, was significant. Norris closed the gap from 22 to just 14 points, while Red Bull’s relentless Max Verstappen – who swept both Austin races – slashed his deficit from 104 points in late August to 40.

With five rounds remaining and 141 points up for grabs, the fight for the 2025 world crown has roared back to life.

Unfazed by the Pressure

Piastri isn’t reading too much into the shifting math. Calm and measured as ever, he’s drawing on the experience of past title scraps to keep perspective.

“You know, I’ve been in fights that were as close or at this point even closer than what they are now,” he told reporters in Austin.

“I’ve got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.”

The Australian acknowledged that recent results haven’t been ideal but insists the key lies not in watching the scoreboard – but in rediscovering his trademark pace.

“This weekend has obviously been tough and the gap has come down a little bit in the last few weekends,” he added. “But, you know, again, performance is what’s going to win you a Championship, not just looking at points and seeing if you can increase it or decrease it.

“The faster you go, the more points you’re going to score and that’s what I’ll focus on,” Piastri said, making it clear he plans to attack rather than defend.

Verstappen’s surge no cause for panic

While Verstappen’s recent resurgence has reignited his pursuit of a fifth straight title, Piastri isn’t losing sleep over the Dutchman’s charge.

Instead, he’s intent on ironing out McLaren’s current inconsistencies – particularly in qualifying, where he admits things haven’t clicked lately.

“I’d still rather be where I am than the other two,” Piastri said. “He (Verstappen) has obviously had a good run in the last few races.

“But ultimately, if we can find our way again, find our pace – and certainly for me, find our pace again – then I don’t have any major concerns.

“There’s still a long way to go in the championship… he’s obviously chased it down pretty quick, but it’s not exactly a small gap with five rounds to go.”

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With Mexico, Brazil, and a sprint in Qatar next on the horizon, Piastri knows the title fight is entering its decisive stretch.

But for a driver who thrives under pressure and preaches performance over panic, the message from Austin was unmistakable: this championship may be tightening, but Oscar Piastri isn’t blinking.

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