Oscar Piastri has set his sights on claiming his first Formula 1 world championship this season. Though it’s only his third year in the sport, the goal appears well within reach.
The Australian driver concluded last season in fourth place overall, securing his maiden F1 victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, that achievement was somewhat overshadowed by controversy surrounding McLaren’s team orders. His dominant drive in Azerbaijan, however, stood out as one of the season’s finest performances. To take the ultimate step and become world champion, Oscar Piastri must address two key weaknesses. The first is qualifying, where he was comprehensively outperformed by teammate Lando Norris, losing 21-3 in their head-to-head battle.
The second is consistency. When at his peak, Oscar Piastri has demonstrated the ability to challenge any driver on the grid. However, an inconsistent finish to the campaign saw him fall 82 points behind Norris by the season’s end.
Despite that, he played a crucial role in securing McLaren’s first constructors’ championship since 1998, a feat that has positioned the Woking-based team as one of the favorites for the upcoming season. If Oscar Piastri manages to clinch the title, he would become the first driver to do so within his first three years since Lewis Hamilton’s sophomore-season triumph in 2008.
With the current regulations nearing their final year, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in F1 history. Every driver from the top four teams will feel they have a legitimate shot at glory.
Piastri Would Back Hamilton at Ferrari If He Wasn’t on the Grid
Among those with championship ambitions is Lewis Hamilton, who is embarking on a new chapter with Ferrari. The Scuderia came within 14 points of the constructors’ crown in 2024, making them strong contenders for the title this year.
Lewis Hamilton’s ability to adapt quickly to his new surroundings will be crucial, especially with Charles Leclerc firmly established as the team’s lead driver. At 40 years old, the seven-time champion is chasing an unprecedented eighth title—an achievement that would make him the first driver over 40 to win the championship since Jack Brabham in 1966.
Speaking on The Fast and the Curious podcast, the McLaren Australian driver admitted that, as an outsider, he would find Lewis Hamilton’s potential triumph a ‘pretty cool’ story to witness.
He said that if he were not racing in Formula 1, he would find it pretty cool to see Lewis Hamilton win a world championship with Ferrari, adding that this would only be the case if he were not competing against him.
Ferrari’s Leadership Holds Unexpected Expectations for Lewis Hamilton Ahead of His Debut Season
The version of Lewis Hamilton seen in 2024 didn’t resemble a driver on the verge of adding another championship to his collection. He was comprehensively outperformed by George Russell in qualifying, losing 19-5, and also trailed his younger teammate in race results.
At times, the British driver experienced some of the most difficult weekends of his career, even admitting at one point that he no longer felt “fast.” Despite this, Ferrari remain confident that a resurgence is on the horizon.
Encouragingly for the Scuderia, those closest to Hamilton believe he still has another level to unlock in 2025. They argue that when provided with a race-winning car, he tends to rediscover his peak form.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Ferrari’s leadership expects Hamilton to take on the role of their leading driver, ahead of Charles Leclerc—despite the Monegasque’s strong performances last season. This belief highlights the scale of Ferrari’s investment in the sport’s most decorated driver and their faith in his ability to deliver results.
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