Piastri Concedes 'Outside Shot' at F1 Title Amidst Difficult Run

Oscar Piastri has admitted he now only has an “outside shot” of winning the F1 title following a challenging period of form. The Australian driver has not finished ahead of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris since the Dutch Grand Prix in August, a trend that has seen Norris gain a significant lead in the championship standings.

Why it matters:

• After leading the standings for much of the year, Piastri's recent struggles underscore the demanding nature of F1 title fights and the importance of consistent performance.
• The shift in momentum towards Norris highlights the internal team battle at McLaren and its potential impact on the constructor's championship.
• A title bid for Piastri would require not only a perfect performance from his side but also favorable external factors, adding an intriguing element to the season's final rounds.

The Details:

• Norris currently holds a 24-point advantage over Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
• Both McLaren drivers were disqualified from the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix results, providing a boost to Verstappen's title aspirations.
• Piastri acknowledged that while a chance remains, it's an 'outside shot' and he cannot solely rely on his own performance.
  • “Even if I have a perfect final two weekends, I can't just rely on that. I need other things to go my way,” Piastri stated.
• The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix is the penultimate round of the F1 campaign.
• Piastri has a strong track record at the Lusail International Circuit, having finished on the podium in every previous visit.
  • He sees Qatar as an ideal location to turn his form around, noting his enjoyment of the circuit and past success there.
• Regarding his recent performance in Vegas, Piastri noted that while qualifying didn't go as planned, his pace in clear air during the race was “pretty good,” despite some mistakes.
  • He also highlighted the significant improvements found in specific conditions.

What's next:

Piastri will be looking to capitalize on his strong history at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend in Qatar to reverse his fortunes. With only two races left, his focus will be on maximizing his performance and hoping for external factors to align in his favor if he is to keep his slim title hopes alive. The dynamic between Piastri and Norris will also be a key storyline as McLaren navigates the end of the season.