Oscar Piastri Credits 'Assassin' Trainer Artturi Similia for F1 Breakthrough Season
Oscar Piastri declares 2025 a 'breakthrough' F1 season, crediting his new trainer, former MMA fighter Artturi Similia, as a 'secret weapon' for his improved performance. Piastri, with seven wins this year, emphasizes that his holistic approach—including physical conditioning and mental resilience—has made everything 'click.' As he battles teammate Lando Norris for the championship, his off-track work with Similia proves vital for his title ambitions.
Oscar Piastri believes the 2025 F1 season has been a "breakthrough" year for him, attributing his improved performance to a holistic approach that includes his new trainer, Artturi Similia. Piastri, who has secured seven Grand Prix wins this season, feels everything has "clicked a lot more this year," not just in terms of results but also in his work outside the car.
Why it matters:
Piastri's candid assessment highlights the multifaceted nature of success in Formula 1, extending beyond raw driving talent to encompass physical conditioning, mental resilience, and effective team collaboration. His improved performance, despite a recent dip, underscores the critical role support staff like Similia play in optimizing a driver's potential in a sport where marginal gains are paramount. A strong Piastri is crucial for McLaren's championship aspirations, especially as he battles teammate Lando Norris.
The details:
- Breakthrough Year: Piastri confirmed on the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast that he considers 2025 a breakthrough year, even 'putting the results to one side.' He feels his approach to racing has 'clicked a lot more,' with everything coming more naturally compared to his first two seasons, where he had to learn many techniques 'the hard way.'
- Off-Season Work: A significant part of his improvement stems from intensive off-season work, which focused not just on driving faster but also on how he interacts with his team, extracts the most from the car and engineers, and improves his physical and mental resilience.
- Artturi Similia's Impact: Podcast host Tom Clarkson highlighted Piastri's new trainer, Artturi Similia, as a 'secret weapon.' Similia, a former MMA fighter with experience in the NFL and with Olympic gold medalists, joined Piastri's team this season after his previous physio, Kim Keedle, departed.
- Trainer's Role: Piastri acknowledged Similia's importance, stating he has 'been a massive help this year.' Similia's contributions include ensuring Piastri is in peak condition for races and managing fatigue levels throughout the demanding F1 season. Piastri also emphasized the importance of their strong off-track relationship, given they spend more time together than anyone else.
The big picture:
Piastri's championship bid faces a crucial test in the final three rounds, as he currently trails McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 24 points. While he led the championship earlier by 34 points, a recent five-race podium drought has allowed Norris to take control. This mid-season shift underscores the relentless pressure and consistency required to maintain a title challenge in Formula 1.
What's next:
With the title fight intensifying, Piastri's continued collaboration with Similia will be key to regaining momentum. His ability to apply the 'breakthrough' lessons from this season, particularly regarding consistency and mental fortitude, will determine if he can reel in Norris and secure his maiden F1 championship. The focus for Piastri and McLaren will be on maximizing performance in the remaining races and translating their strong internal dynamics into a cohesive championship push.