Oscar Piastri says his mentality has not changed as his lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship continues to shrink, Afrosport reports.
The Australian finished fifth at the United States Grand Prix on Sunday while Max Verstappen won the race with Lando Norris finishing second.
The result left Piastri just 14 points ahead of his McLaren teammate Norris in the championship standings while Verstappen is 40 points adrift in third place having been 104 points behind after the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August. He is however not shaken by how fast his lead is being cut down.
“Obviously, Max is closing in and so is Lando, but the gap has not been comfortable at any point this year,” he said.
“Yes, it has been a bit bigger at certain points, but at no point has it felt like I could relax or sit back.
“My mentality hasn’t changed, and it certainly won’t now. I’m just trying to do the best job I can every weekend and naturally, the results will take care of themselves.”
Oscar Piastri was left searching for answers behind his lack of pace in Austin, as the championship gap closed in behind him! 😮💨👀#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/33PkcAnirz
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 21, 2025
Meanwhile, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella is confident that the drivers’ championship is in the hands of either Piastri or Norris, despite Verstappen winning three of the last four grands prix.
“I said very clearly in capital letters that Max was in the contest for the Drivers’ Championship, and when I say something, I mean it, the Italian said.
“We just have to keep maximising the performance and keep executing good weekends… The outcome of this season and the Drivers’ Championship is in our hands, it’s not in someone else’s hands. That’s the mindset that we want to have and that’s the mindset that we will have.”
The F1 paddock will next head to Mexico City this weekend for the eponymous grand prix which is set to see Piastri, Norris and Verstappen in the hunt for victory once again.
