Palmer: Piastri’s qualifying leap sparked Aussie’s ‘coming of age’

F1 TV commentator Jolyon Palmer has hailed Oscar Piastri’s 2025 campaign as a defining breakthrough, praising the McLaren star’s “amazing coming of age” after a season that transformed him into a genuine title contender.

Piastri spent much of the first half of the year setting the pace in the Drivers’ Championship, enjoying a standout third season in Formula 1.

While a dip in form late in the campaign opened the door for team-mate Lando Norris to snatch the title, the Australian’s overall body of work marked him out as one of the grid’s biggest success stories.

Palmer, reflecting on Piastri’s rise, was unequivocal in his assessment.

“What a season for Oscar – another driver who came up tantalisingly short but at least managed to regroup after a tricky run through the Americas to shape up for a genuine title tilt,” the Briton told F1.com.

A Qualifying Turnaround That Changed Everything

Central to Piastri’s surge was a dramatic improvement in qualifying pace. After being comfortably outperformed by Norris over one lap in 2024, Piastri sharpened his Saturdays in 2025 – turning front-row starts into race-winning opportunities.

“Seven Grand Prix wins could easily have been 10 were it not for a penalty in Silverstone and tough strategy outcomes in Budapest and Qatar,” Palmer said.

“His pace and consistency on Saturdays were critical – and a big turnaround from 2024 when he was blown away by Norris over one lap.”

That step forward not only kept Piastri in the championship fight for most of the season, it also shifted perceptions of his ceiling within the sport.

Looking ahead, Palmer believes the pressure will only grow as McLaren aim to remain at the sharp end in 2026 – but he sees no reason why Piastri won’t thrive under it.

• Read also: Montoya ‘guarantees’ Piastri is exploring options beyond McLaren

“You could make a case for Oscar being a worthy world champion this year and from where he was in 2024 that’s an amazing coming of age,” said the former F1 driver.

“It didn’t happen, but he will certainly start next year with more eyes on him if he has a car to compete again. I think he’s shown he’s got what it takes.”

A title may have slipped through his fingers in 2025, but with Palmer’s endorsement ringing loudly, Piastri enters the next chapter of his F1 career with momentum, belief – and the paddock’s full attention.

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