Despite a stellar 2024 season that saw Oscar Piastri claim fourth place in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, the young Aussie has set his sights on improving his Achilles’ heel: qualifying. Outqualified 21-3 by teammate Lando Norris, Piastri has vowed to close the gap in what promises to be an exciting third season with McLaren.
“Acknowledging the Qualifying Deficit”
Piastri has demonstrated strong racing instincts, often gaining positions on race day, but his qualifying struggles have left him with more ground to cover than necessary. Reflecting on the season, Piastri admitted that qualifying is the primary area for improvement.
“The biggest one has been leaving a few too many positions on the table in qualifying,” he told Motorsport.com. “I don’t think I’ve ever really made life easy on myself in the races in that aspect.”
The 23-year-old expressed confidence in his ability to address the issue during the off-season, focusing on fine-tuning his approach to extract those last critical tenths in qualifying sessions.
“It’s not a case of really needing to find that extra step, it’s being able to be on top of my game every time.”
“Racecraft vs. Qualifying”
While Norris consistently outperformed Piastri on Saturdays, the Australian shone on race days. Piastri’s ability to manage tire strategies, execute overtakes, and maintain consistency in high-pressure situations has led some to consider him the better racer between the two.
However, Piastri acknowledges that improving his qualifying pace would position him to better capitalize on his racecraft.
“If I can get it all together, then I will be on my way,” Piastri said, adding that the key lies in delivering his best every weekend.
“A Bright Future for McLaren”
McLaren’s resurgence in 2024 saw the team take its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, with Norris finishing second behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings. The Norris-Piastri pairing has proven to be one of the most formidable on the grid, blending experience with youthful potential.
Piastri’s focus on improving his qualifying performance could give McLaren an even stronger edge in the battle against Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes in 2025.
“Room to Grow”
Piastri remains optimistic about his growth trajectory, citing the small gaps that separate success from failure in modern F1.
“The encouraging thing is the potential has been there,” he said. “The next step is realizing that potential every weekend. If I can do that, we are in for a fun season.”
“Eyes on 2025”
As Piastri prepares for his third F1 season, his commitment to improving qualifying form could elevate him to new heights. With McLaren’s championship-winning car and one of the best driver pairings on the grid, 2025 could be the year Piastri truly cements his status as a future F1 star.