Oscar Piastri, the rising star at McLaren, enters the 2025 Formula 1 season under heightened scrutiny as former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya claims the young Aussie has “the most to prove” after falling short against teammate Lando Norris in 2024.
Despite a stellar debut season in 2023 and two Grand Prix victories in 2024, Piastri’s performance in critical head-to-head metrics left Montoya unimpressed. In particular, Norris out-qualified Piastri 20-4, showcasing a clear upper hand in one-lap pace.
Montoya: “I Expected More from Piastri”
Montoya, never one to shy away from candid opinions, expressed surprise at Piastri’s inability to match Norris, despite McLaren’s resurgence.
“Oscar Piastri is the driver with the most to prove next season. I really expected him to step up this year, and I’m a little surprised he didn’t. I really felt that this year he would be better than Lando, but Lando took a massive step forward, and Oscar didn’t.”
Montoya’s comments come as McLaren prepares to defend its position as one of the grid’s top teams after finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024.
Piastri: “Qualifying Is My Focus”
Piastri himself has acknowledged his struggles in qualifying as a key area for improvement. The Australian driver pointed out that his underwhelming Saturday performances often made his Sundays more challenging.
“The biggest one has been leaving a few too many positions on the table in qualifying. I don’t think I’ve ever really made life easy for myself in the races. That’s definitely the big focus of the off-season—just trying to get those last hundredths, last tenths.”
Piastri’s 2024 campaign wasn’t without highlights, however. His consistency on race day, exemplified by completing 100% of laps across the season, demonstrated a reliability that few drivers can claim. With two wins and eight podiums, he secured fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Road Ahead for McLaren
As McLaren gears up for 2025, the team knows it must maintain its upward trajectory to fend off challenges from Ferrari and a resurgent Red Bull. With Norris consistently performing at an elite level and Piastri showing flashes of brilliance, McLaren is positioned to remain a championship contender.
For Piastri, however, the stakes are higher than ever. With a car capable of challenging for titles, the 23-year-old will need to deliver under pressure to avoid being overshadowed by Norris and live up to the immense expectations placed on him.
“If McLaren starts strong, Piastri will have no excuses. He must convert his promise into consistent results—or risk being seen as a supporting act to Norris,” one paddock insider observed.
As McLaren embarks on what could be its most crucial season in decades, all eyes will be on Oscar Piastri to see if he can rise to the occasion and silence his doubters.
