Oscar Piastri faced disappointment after finishing second in the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, a race he felt he could have won. While this result keeps him in contention for his first Formula One world championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the Australian driver couldn’t shake the feeling of a lost opportunity. The post-race news conference revealed his frustration, especially when the conversation turned to more uplifting topics like Australia’s cricket victory over England.
Piastri maintained a pace faster than his competitors throughout the race weekend, but a strategic blunder by McLaren marred their performance. The team had a significant miscalculation during a crucial safety car period. While other teams seized the opportunity to pit, McLaren opted to keep both Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris on track. This decision allowed Max Verstappen, the race winner, to gain a substantial advantage, eventually finishing first, while Piastri came in second and Norris in fourth.
The race began with McLaren in strong positions, forecasting a potential 12-point lead for Norris in the drivers’ standings. However, the early safety car due to a collision between Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly changed the narrative. With tire restrictions limiting pit strategies, Norris and Piastri’s choice to stay out proved detrimental. They eventually pitted several laps later, only to resurface among the pack without the dominant edge they had initially.
Further complicating matters, Norris struggled to keep pace after his pit stop, while Piastri displayed speed but could only climb back to second place after an hurried pit strategy in pursuit of Verstappen. With only one race left, the championship scenario has tightened, with Piastri now trailing leader Norris by 16 points and facing an increasingly competitive Verstappen.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella later acknowledged that the decision not to pit was based on an incorrect assumption about other teams’ strategies. Their failure to adapt to the unfolding race dynamics has heightened pressure on the team for the Abu Dhabi finale and stirred discussions about driver parity and strategic decisions moving forward.
Both Piastri and Norris must now strategize how to navigate the challenging landscape of the championship. Although the pressure is mounting, there remains a hopeful sentiment that with aggressive driving and smart decision-making in the final race, there could still be a positive outcome for McLaren and its drivers in this thrilling championship chase. As the team prepares for Abu Dhabi, discussions on race strategy will be crucial in determining who can claim the coveted title.