Max Verstappen Calls Oscar Piastri’s F1 Title Race Collapse “Bizarre” – What’s Going Wrong?
In a stunning twist to the 2025 Formula 1 season, reigning champion Max Verstappen has publicly labeled teammate Oscar Piastri’s dramatic downturn in performance as “bizarre.” As the championship battle heats up, it’s becoming increasingly clear that luck—or the lack thereof—plays a significant role in the quest for the coveted title.
What was once a promising campaign for Piastri has turned into a nightmarish scenario. Over the last six races, the points swing between the two McLaren drivers has been nothing short of shocking. Lando Norris has transformed a 34-point deficit into a commanding 24-point lead over Piastri, marking a staggering 58-point shift in their intra-team rivalry.
Piastri seemed poised to clinch his first Drivers’ Championship after a triumphant victory at Zandvoort in August, especially when Norris faced a catastrophic oil leak that forced him to retire. However, the momentum has flipped dramatically, with Norris dominating every subsequent race against his teammate.
“I have no explanation for that to be honest. I find it very bizarre,” Verstappen admitted during a press conference, addressing the media, including Motorsport Week. When pressed on whether Piastri has suddenly lost his driving skills, Verstappen was candid: “No, I don’t think so. But honestly, I also don’t know how this is possible.”
Verstappen’s own position in the championship has benefited from Piastri’s misfortunes, allowing him to close in on the points tally. The Dutch driver is still very much in the title hunt, trailing Norris by 48 points as the season winds down with just three races remaining. However, Verstappen acknowledges that he has capitalized on a series of fortunate circumstances that have shifted the dynamics of the championship.
“I think closing the gap that quickly has happened partly because all circumstances came together,” he reflected. “They made a few mistakes after the summer break, while we had some good races in which everything came together. Yeah, then you can gain very quickly.”
Despite his own resurgence, Verstappen has faced challenges as Norris has thwarted Red Bull’s charge with back-to-back victories in Mexico and Brazil. “At some point, you come back to reality and know that it won’t go like that everywhere,” he stated, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of racing.
Yet amidst the turmoil, Verstappen remains optimistic. “But at least we’ve been on the podium the last couple of races, and that’s already a lot more consistent than what it was from mid-2024 to mid-2025. So, in the end, it’s still positive.”
As the 2025 championship battle intensifies, all eyes will be on Piastri to see if he can reclaim his former glory and turn the tide in this rollercoaster season. Will luck favor the bold, or will the bizarre continue to unravel the fortunes of McLaren? Only time will tell.








