Max Verstappen really likes what Oscar Piastri is doing and how he is doing it, despite his defeat this weekend. Perhaps he sees a little of himself in this story.
McLaren has clearly arrived very strongly in the fight for the world title this year, but while everyone expects it to come from Lando Norris, it is possible that a third wheel will emerge as the winner. Current champion Max Verstappen sees this and knows it, and he spoke about it with unusual honesty, without any psychological gamesmanship—it is now possible to say so—about his main rival:
“Oscar is performing wonderfully. Many people tend to forget that, but it's good to remember: 2024 was only his second season, 2025 will be his third, and despite that, he's very strong. When he needs to, he stays calm, and when he needs to, he stands out; he almost never makes mistakes. That's exactly how you have to do it if the title is your goal!”
Mark Webber is certainly giving him a lot of help, and that's a great thing. You can learn the most from your own career, and those are the experiences he passes on to Oscar, and that's what my father did with me. And Oscar Piastri is a good student; he learns the lessons, he does the work! He's talented, intelligent, and not afraid to use his strengths. It's great to see!" said Max Verstappen sportingly.
Photo: Getty Images / LAT Images
