McLaren out of the running for the World Championship? Oscar Piastri isn’t writing off the World Championship title just yet

Last year, Oscar Piastri remained one of the top favourites for the World Championship title right up until the final stages of the season. For a long time, the young racing driver from Melbourne led the drivers’ championship, and at times his lead was so substantial that many F1 observers feared the title would be decided early in the season in the Australian’s favour.

However, a dip in form in the final stretch of the season meant that Piastri’s lead continued to shrink – and ultimately, he was not only pipped to the post by his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris. In the final standings, he also finished behind Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen.

Two bitter pills to swallow at the start of the season

Hopes of starting the new year with renewed vigour were quickly dashed. Right from the first two Grands Prix, the ambitious 25-year-old suffered two painful zero-point finishes. At his home race at Albert Park in Melbourne, he spun off the track before the start lights had even gone out; in China, technical issues meant he couldn’t even take part in the Grand Prix on race day.

At the third Grand Prix in Japan, Piastri then bounced back with a podium finish. Finishing second, he secured his best result of the season so far. He arrived at this weekend’s race at the Red Bull Ring in sixth place in the World Championship. In the first free practice session, he set the third-fastest lap time.

The tide can turn quickly

Even before the first session, the nine-time GP winner defiantly stated that he did not intend to write off his title chances. He emphasised: “The odds are definitely not in our favour. But I think last year showed quite clearly how quickly things can change.”

Topic of the week

From major doubts to a major spectacle: why GP fans have reason to be delighted

Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Read more

TV program

Today

Budapest: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

26.07.2026 - 17:15

“We still have a long way to go this season. Yes, we’re well aware that we need to improve and that things need to change for us, but I don’t think we should be writing off the title race just yet,” stressed the McLaren star.