McLaren took a massive gamble when Zak Brown went to war with Alpine to steal Oscar Piastri, but that risk has paid off in spectacular fashion. The young Australian isn’t just living up to the hype—he’s rewriting the script.
After a sensational rookie season in 2023 that saw him claim a podium and a sprint race victory in Qatar, Piastri truly arrived in 2024, scoring his first two Formula 1 Grand Prix wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan. But now, as the 2025 season approaches, the stakes are higher than ever—and former F1 boss Guenther Steiner believes this could be the year he takes the throne.
Steiner’s Prediction: “This Is His Year”
Few voices in the F1 paddock carry as much blunt honesty as Guenther Steiner. The former Haas team principal, now a Drive to Survive icon, sees Piastri as a genuine title threat heading into 2025.
“I think he has the right car now, and I think this is his year,” Steiner told News Corp.
“Coming in as a rookie, he overdelivered in 2023. In 2024, he improved even more. Now, he’s ready to go for it. He’s very good, and he for sure learned a lot last year.”
Steiner is particularly intrigued by the battle within McLaren. Lando Norris vs. Oscar Piastri has already become one of the most exciting intra-team fights in F1, and 2025 could push it into full-blown rivalry territory.
“One of the things to look forward to this year is McLaren because I think talent-wise, Lando and Oscar are very close,” Steiner added.
“They have the same speed … but as the season goes, McLaren will want one of them to go for the title. The pressure is now on Oscar because he’s shown he can do it. Now, he needs to want it a little more, because he wants to be world champion now.”
For McLaren, this season could be the defining moment—do they let their young stars battle it out, or will they eventually have to pick a side?
Piastri’s Mindset: “I Want Much More”
Piastri, for his part, isn’t backing down. The 23-year-old from Melbourne is coming into 2025 with one clear goal: the championship.
“I am definitely going into this year with the aim and preparation for trying to challenge for both championships,” he said at the launch of McLaren’s MCL39.
And he’s not just relying on talent—he’s put in the work.
“Winning grands prix early in my career has given me the taste for success, and I want much more.”
Piastri also praised McLaren’s relentless winter development in an effort to keep up with Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes in the ever-intensifying battle at the front.
“We’ve not stood still. There are some new innovations on this car, and that’s what you need to do to try and stay at the top.”
A Norris vs. Piastri Civil War?
While McLaren dominated the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, the real question heading into 2025 isn’t just whether they can defend their title, but whether their driver pairing can survive the battle for supremacy.
Lando Norris, now entering his seventh full season in F1, has long been regarded as a future world champion. But with Piastri rising rapidly, could McLaren face the same internal battle that tore apart Hamilton and Rosberg at Mercedes?
Steiner believes McLaren’s management team of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella will have to make some tough calls if both drivers remain in the title hunt.
“McLaren has probably done the best job of keeping both drivers happy. But if they’re leading in the second half of the season and they let them race, it could get ugly.”
Piastri’s Homecoming: A Perfect Launch Pad?
The first test of Piastri’s 2025 ambitions will come on home soil. The Australian Grand Prix on March 16 will be the ultimate proving ground—not just for Piastri’s championship hopes, but for McLaren’s standing in the pecking order.
Can Piastri kickstart his title bid with a home victory? Can McLaren maintain its advantage over the chasing pack? And most importantly—can Norris and Piastri survive as teammates if both are in the fight for F1’s biggest prize?
One thing is for sure: Oscar Piastri isn’t just here to participate. He’s here to take over.