Piastri concedes title bid now out of his hands after Las Vegas GP

Oscar Piastri has acknowledged that his Formula 1 world championship hopes have now slipped from his control after another damaging points loss to McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Piastri climbed to fourth post-race following Kimi Antonelli’s penalty for a jump start, yet Norris’ run to second widened the gap between the pair to 30 points with only two rounds remaining.

Although 58 points remain on the table thanks to next week’s Qatar sprint, the Australian now concedes that even a perfect finish to the season may not be enough.

"I think [the title is still possible], but it's obviously now in the position where I can't just win it by winning races," Piastri said on Saturday night. "But what I can do is put myself in the best position to capitalise on if something does happen.

"So for my own pride, ego and opportunities, I want to win the next two races. But that's all I can do. If things go my way, things go my way. And if they don't, then it is what it is. I'll try my best to have a good couple of last weekends.

"It is an outside chance now. Like I said, I need things outside of my control to also happen.

"In some ways [it takes the pressure off], but it doesn't change the desire to want to do my best and try and win. And that's what I'll be focused on."

With Max Verstappen also lurking only 12 points behind him, Piastri accepts that his fate is now tied not only to his own performances but also to whether his two closest rivals stumble.

Las Vegas Recovery Highlights Mixed Fortunes

Piastri’s Vegas evening started shakily after dropping behind both Racing Bulls at Turn 1 – an opening made worse by contact with Liam Lawson. His recovery drive, however, breathed some life back into McLaren’s hopes as he surged forward thanks to what he praised as a “superb” strategy call from the team.

Even so, he admitted the race showcased the blend of misfortune and self-inflicted setbacks that has dogged his recent title push.

"Sometimes all you can do is laugh and try and find the silver lining in things," Piastri explained.

"Again, I think the pace in clean air today was good, and there's been things out of my control that haven't gone well recently, but there's also been things in my control that haven't gone well.

"And I think that race was a combination of both. So there's things I need to tidy up. But I think there's been some good positives from the last two weekends as well, just the results have not really gone to plan."

Eyes on Qatar for One Last Charge

With Qatar up next – on a circuit he enjoys and one that hosts a sprint – Piastri believes the track could offer a final opening to swing momentum.

"I think for us as a team [Qatar] should be a good race. Obviously the strategy is kind of already defined, let's say, so there's that change from last year.

“But it's a track I enjoy, a track I've done well at before, so hopefully it'll be a good weekend."

Whether a strong showing will be enough is another question entirely.

Formula 1's World Championship standings

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