Oscar Piastri has acknowledged that his chances of clinching the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in 2024 are slim, even as he continues to impress with a string of strong performances. The Australian driver, now in his sophomore season, recently claimed his second career win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, holding off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with a decisive move and showcasing his growing confidence under pressure.
Baku Win More Rewarding Than Maiden Victory in Hungary
Reflecting on his recent triumph, Piastri described the victory in Baku as more rewarding than his maiden win in Hungary, where team orders overshadowed the moment. “I think just the amount of hard work and pressure that I was under in Baku made it much sweeter,” Piastri said. “The emotion after Baku was special for different reasons compared to Hungary.”
Maintaining Momentum as Singapore GP Approaches
Heading into the Singapore Grand Prix, Piastri is keen to maintain his momentum, with McLaren looking competitive once again. “It is a nice confidence boost, definitely,” Piastri noted, emphasizing the importance of execution from both himself and the team. He acknowledged that Baku wasn’t necessarily McLaren’s most competitive track, which made the win even more satisfying, especially given the strong performance from Ferrari.
A Consistent Points Scorer but Title Still a Long Shot
Piastri’s consistent points haul has seen him become the highest scorer over the past five races, closing the gap to Max Verstappen in the standings. However, despite reducing the deficit to 91 points behind the Dutchman and trailing teammate Lando Norris by 32 points, Piastri remains realistic about his championship prospects. “I’m not out of the running for the Drivers’ Championship, but I think now on average, I need to score over 10 points more per weekend than Max,” he admitted.
Eyes on the Constructors’ Championship as the Primary Target
Piastri made it clear that his primary focus is on helping McLaren maintain its lead in the Constructors’ Championship. He acknowledged that overtaking Verstappen and Norris would require a series of fortunate events over the next seven races. “I can try and go out and win every race, but it’s now at the point where I need other things to start happening to win that,” he said. “And for that to happen for seven races in a row is not very realistic.”
Ready to Seize Any Opportunity
Despite his measured outlook, Piastri remains committed to maximizing every opportunity. “Of course, I’ll try and go into every weekend trying to get the best result I can,” he said. “But, I’m certainly under no illusion that I’m well and truly in the fight for the championship. It’s more if some crazy stuff happens, then I’ll be there to work my way into the fight.”
As Piastri continues to grow in confidence and maturity on the track, his focus remains on consistency and supporting McLaren’s championship goals. While the 2024 Drivers’ Championship may be a long shot, Piastri’s impressive performances have marked him as a rising star with the potential to challenge at the top in the future.
