"I still fully believe that I can win the championship," says Oscar Piastri as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris draw ever closer.

A lacklustre weekend in Texas, which followed an equally disappointing race in Singapore and an absolute nightmare in Azerbaijan, has seen the Australian's lead over his teammate reduced to 14 points, while Max Verstappen has taken 64 points out of his lead in just four weekends.

Nonetheless, Piastri is confident that he can still claim the 2025 crown, despite the fact that he hasn't been on the podium since Monza and McLaren hasn't won a race since Zandvoort.

"I'd still rather be where I am than the other two," the Australian told reporters post-race. "Definitely Max and Red Bull have found a lot of pace since the summer break," he added. "We saw flashes of it at the start of the year, but it's been consistent since then.

"I've been in fights that were as close or at this point even closer than what they are now," he insisted. "So I've got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.

"This weekend has obviously been tough," he admitted, "and the gap has come down a little bit in the last few weekends.

"There's still a long way to go in the championship," he said. "It is still, for Max anyway, he's obviously chased it down pretty quick, but it's not exactly a small gap with five rounds to go.

"Ultimately, if we can find our way again, find our pace, certainly for me find our pace again, then I don't have any major concerns."

However, it is the mysterious loss of pace in recent races that gives cause for concern, that and the obvious crack in Piastri's usually stoic facade.

The constructors' crown brings the prize money but the drivers' title has the prestige, and as Verstappen continues to reel in the Papaya pair at some point the team is almost certain to throw its weight behind one of its drivers and on current form it is most likely to be Norris.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 22/10/2025 1:35

"I fully agree with the previous sentiments expressed by Max, CT and others. Oscar knows what he has to do to win the WDC which he has already lead for around 6 months or so! That is if McLaren allow this to happen. Sky are blatantly leading the narrative, which is being picked up and parroted in many different quarters, that Norris should already be chosen for preferential treatment. Hopefully Oscar can deal with this insidious assault on his opportunities/abilities to win the WDC and notch up some more points to maintain his lead. I am impressed with his demeanour ATM despite the clickbait that abounds that would have you believe that he's almost finished in his attempt to take the main prize."

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2. Posted by ffracer, 21/10/2025 13:52

"@ Max Noble and @Celtic Tiger : well said.

He can do it if he just block out the noise. I really like Oscar Piastri for more than his humility, when interviewed, being a great teammate to Lando and his incredible driving. Hope that he can find his confidence and calm from the first half of the season. "

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3. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 20/10/2025 22:25

"It's quite amazing that Piastri only has two full seasons of F1 under his belt and is in with a shout for the WDC. I think that little detail tends to get lost in the shuffle of all the noise around this title fight."

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4. Posted by Greg, 20/10/2025 15:19

"@Max Noble.. unless you are a sky pundit who thinks otherwise. In one part of the broadcast they mentioned the title battle and then included Oscar as a second thought. Let's hope he gets his elbows out and foot down on the go pedal "

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5. Posted by Max Noble, 20/10/2025 10:30

"Mate! You need to win some races… and soon…!!"

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Piastri insists he can still win

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