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Piastri "not a contender" in F1 title race as Max surges
SEN • November 28th, 2025 8:46 am
Oscar Piastri will need “something magical” to happen if he is going to win the F1 drivers’ title, according to the experts.
The Australian, who in September was 34-points clear of Lando Norris and 104 points ahead of Max Verstappen, has not only lost his impressive lead, but now sits second and level on points with the Red Bull driver.
Piastri has not finished on a podium since his third place at Monza in September. That’s six races without a top three result and an absolute nosedive in form while his two main competitors have surged.
A double disqualification for McLaren last week in Las Vegas, while an embarrassment for the team, assisted Piastri in that is reduced his deficit in the standings to Norris, but simultaneously allowed Verstappen to level things up.
While many have cried foul and bought into conspiracy theories that McLaren is showing preferential treatment to Norris, the fact of the matter is, Piastri has simply not been driving as well as his teammate.
The form he is displaying is not that of a champion, according to F1 expert Cameron Van Den Dungen.
“Watching him try to come through (in Vegas) he struggled,” he told SEN Breakfast this week.
“He couldn’t get by Hadjar then he went to put a move on Antonelli and he couldn’t get it done. His pace and speed, I don’t know what’s happened.
“These were moves he was putting on with ease at the start of the season. He is labouring behind the wheel at the moment. Something is not gelling for him at the moment.
“Unless something magical happens, he is not a contender. I’m not seeing the speed from him. Six races he has not been on the podium. He is about the fifth fastest on the grid.”
Heading into the penultimate weekend of the season, the Qatar race and sprint presents Norris’ first opportunity to wrap up the title.
The Briton must outscore Piastri and Verstappen by at least two points to secure an unassailable lead.
Mathematically, this is what Piastri or Verstappen would require to win.
Current standings:
Norris: 390 Piastri: 366 Verstappen: 366
Results Piastri needs:
Qatar sprint race:
P1 PiastriP2 VerstappenP3 Norris
Qatar Grand Prix:
P1 PiastriP2 VerstappenP4 Norris
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
P1 PiastriP2 VerstappenP3 Norris
