Is this the year Oscar Piastri makes the leap from rising star to world champion? If former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner is to be believed, the answer is a resounding yes. With McLaren expected to bring an even stronger package to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Piastri is gearing up for a serious shot at the title—a scenario that could ignite one of the fiercest intra-team battles on the grid.
Guenther Steiner’s Bold Prediction: “This Is His Year”
Since bursting onto the F1 scene in 2023, Oscar Piastri has exceeded expectations, showing rapid development and raw speed. Last season, he broke through with his first Grand Prix victory and finished an impressive fourth in the championship, solidifying himself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
For Guenther Steiner, that trajectory makes 2025 the year Piastri fights for the championship.
“I think he has the right car now, and I think this is his year,” Steiner stated.
McLaren’s remarkable turnaround in recent seasons has already brought them within striking distance of Red Bull, and if the team delivers on its latest developments, Piastri could enter the title conversation from the very first race.
The Piastri-Norris Rivalry: A Battle Brewing?
While Piastri has made huge strides, he’s still been consistently outpaced by teammate Lando Norris. Last season, Norris finished 82 points ahead, firmly establishing himself as McLaren’s de facto leader. But Steiner believes that gap is misleading.
“Lando and Oscar are very close talent-wise,” he insisted.
That statement alone raises an intriguing question: Will McLaren allow its drivers to fight, or will they back one over the other?
Steiner seems to think that decision will come down to who emerges as the stronger contender:
“As the season goes on, they will want one of their guys to go for the driver’s championship.”
With two legitimate contenders in their lineup, McLaren could find itself in the exact situation Red Bull and Mercedes have battled before—having two drivers vying for supremacy in the same garage.
Piastri’s Mindset: A Clean Slate and a Championship Mentality
While Steiner is hyping up Piastri’s championship potential, the 23-year-old Aussie isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“It’s definitely a clean slate [this year],” Piastri remarked, signaling that he’s ready to fight for the biggest prize in motorsport.
With McLaren’s rapid progress, the team could finally take the fight to Red Bull, and if Piastri can match or outpace Norris, he won’t just be a rising star—he’ll be a genuine title threat.
The Verdict: Is Piastri Ready to Win It All?
✔ McLaren’s 2025 challenger is expected to be their best car in decades.
✔ Piastri has already proven he can win races.
✔ If McLaren stays competitive, he’ll be in the mix for the title.
The real X-factor? Lando Norris. If McLaren backs one driver over the other, Piastri may have to overcome internal team politics alongside the external competition from Verstappen, Hamilton, and Leclerc.
One thing is certain: Oscar Piastri is no longer just a rising star—he’s a championship contender.
