Former F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle has praised Oscar Piastri, indicating the 23-year-old Australian is firmly in the mix for a long-awaited drivers’ championship. Piastri showcased his racing prowess by leading almost every lap at the Chinese Grand Prix, securing his third career victory and establishing himself as a serious contender for the title.
Throughout the weekend in Shanghai, Piastri demonstrated remarkable speed, consistently outperforming his teammate Lando Norris. This win served as a significant redemption for Piastri after a disappointing result at his home race in Melbourne, where a spin cost him a potential podium finish. In Saturday’s sprint race, he finished second, overtaking Max Verstappen in a thrilling move late in the race.
Later, he had two laps that could have secured him pole position, emphasising his strong performance throughout the weekend. Following the victory, Piastri currently stands fourth in the world championship, just 10 points behind Norris, with plenty of races to come in the lengthy season.
Brundle noted Piastri’s continuous improvement, suggesting that had it not been for a wet corner in Melbourne, he might have been leading the championship. The commentator highlighted the expected competition between Piastri and Norris as they both strive for success.
Piastri himself described the Chinese Grand Prix as the “most complete” win of his career, indicating that this race weekend had been particularly satisfying for him. Previously, at the same race last year, he had finished far behind his teammate, showcasing the significant progress he has made over the year.
Piastri’s mastery of tyre management, which had presented challenges in his earlier races, stands out as a key area of growth. McLaren’s principal, Andrea Stella, remarked on Piastri’s ability to blend various racing skills and strategies, leading to his impressive performance.
As McLaren appears to have one of the fastest cars on the grid, Piastri is determined to leverage this early-season advantage. While only two Australians have won the F1 championship, Piastri maintains his focus on taking each race as it comes, cautioning against premature thoughts about the title. He highlighted the importance of capitalising on the car’s performance while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of racing.
With the F1 schedule allowing for a brief pause, the teams will prepare for an intense triple-header starting in Japan in the upcoming weeks. Piastri remains committed to maximising every opportunity on the track as the championship battle heats up.