Since his debut on the Formula 1 grid in 2023, Australian talent Oscar Piastri has significantly impacted the sport. Although he has not yet achieved his first victory in a Grand Prix, after a second-place result in Monaco this season alongside various other top-five finishes, it appears like he may be approaching closer to that historic moment.
This season, a prominent topic of discussion is McLaren’s rise as a formidable competitor to the unrelenting Red Bull powerhouse.
In 2024, Red Bull and Max Verstappen have maintained a firm grip, winning seven out of ten races but McLaren’s rise, marked by Lando Norris’ triumphant moment in Miami and multiple podium finishes, is a clear sign of a potential upset in the Formula 1 hierarchy. The team’s progress is a compelling narrative, piquing the interest of sports analysts.]
McLaren’s choice to enhance its vehicle to the MCL38 model has yielded positive outcomes and since the new car appeared in the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, it has demonstrated its superiority over its previous version.
Piastri & McLaren on the rise
Lando Norris has demonstrated exceptional performance on the racetracks with the new equipment, and his teammate Oscar Piastri’s abilities also indicates that he has the potential to become a formidable competitor.
The Melbourne, Australia, native achieved a fourth-place finish at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Subsequently, he participated in the Australian GP on home soil, where local fans and bettors placed wagers on him to secure a position within the top six.
Although he was not considered one of the top contenders on popular Australian betting sites, he achieved a fourth-place finish, much to the delight of those who’d backed him at the sportsbook.
Many doubled down with those earnings at the Monaco Grand Prix’s top three finish markets and were rewarded when Piastri achieved a podium finish. As a result, his potential to secure a first triumph in Formula 1 is seemingly imminent.
One may assess Piastri’s level of advancement by looking at the current odds for the next Austrian Grand Prix. Some bookmakers have him at 16/1 to win the event.
That said, the probability of 3/1 for Piastri to achieve another podium finish is expected to generate greater attention from sports bettors as his remarkable rise alongside a strong team continues.
Piastri: A new level of performance and a genuine podium contender
Piastri debuted in the F1 arena with considerable self-assurance despite being a newcomer. His initial performances showed potential but were not consistently strong.
Nevertheless, the MCL38 improvement has significantly enhanced his performance, taking it to a whole new level. Piastri has emerged as a strong candidate for achieving podium results.
The teenage driver had an exceptional Formula 1 rookie season, comparable to Lewis Hamilton’s debut in 2007.
Piastri was quickly exposed to challenging situations last year but swiftly showed his abilities. He achieved fourth place in Silverstone and followed it up with third place in Japan before his impressive triumph in Qatar, where he led the race from start to finish.
An Australian Formula 1 driver that oozes confidence
Before joining McLaren, Piastri served as the reserve driver for the Formula 1 team Alpine. However, Piastri is content with his choice to persist in racing with the British squad since he has just agreed to a contract extension that will last until the conclusion of 2026.
He is quite convinced that the squad has the necessary qualities to strive towards their objective of winning the Constructors.
“We have been working toward this for the better part of six months, almost a year since we implemented our initial set of changes in the middle of last year,” said the young Aussie. “We’ve been working for this, you know. We’re drawing nearer and nearer.
“I recall the excitement on everyone’s faces as we received the first podium. And then, all of a sudden, that was becoming closer to normal. The next thing we desired was the victory [Lando Norris’s Miami win]. Thus, I consider it a huge accomplishment to get it finally.”
In another recent interview, Piastri confidently stated that McLaren has the potential to surpass Red Bull in winning certain races this year and pose a significant threat to the Constructors’ Championship next season.
He admitted that Red Bull is still in first place but stressed that the point difference between the two teams is decreasing. The 23-year-old was confident and optimistic, highlighting the general progress made by the competitors behind.
This level of confidence instils in supporters the belief that he has the potential to ascend to the highest positions and pose a challenge to Verstappen.
Amidst a sport characterized by seasoned drivers attempting to intimidate newcomers on the F1 tracks, Piastri remains remarkably composed and unaffected. He has displayed no indications of susceptibility to external influence, and manager Mark Webber has also played a significant part in preparing Piastri to fight with highly skilled and experienced competition.
The ex-Red Bull driver has provided valuable support to alleviate the pressure on the rookie, offering guidance with exceptional composure. Not forgetting McLaren principal Andrea Stella, who’ll additionally play a vital role in facilitating Piastri’s development to his fullest potential, as a formidable staff in support is crucial.
McLaren upgrades play a huge role
Formula 1 expert Marc Priestly feels that McLaren has the potential to disrupt the existing order in the sport due to significant modifications that have had a substantial impact:
“McLaren or Ferrari could unseat Red Bull and Max Verstappen,” the ex-McLaren chief mechanic said. “However, a fantastic three-way fight might be witnessed in the upcoming season before the rules change in 2026.”
The comeback of McLaren and Piastri’s ascent are highly promising advancements in the sport. As Red Bull continues to be the leading team, we’re undoubtedly seeing signs that the power situation is changing in Formula 1.
While Piastri taking his first win this season might be a tall ask, in the upcoming 2025 season, McLaren has big plans to overthrow Red Bull’s dominant position, and Piastri will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.
