Oscar Piastri shines as McLaren’s rising star, with Günther Steiner tipping him as a true title threat in the 2025 F1 season.
Former Haas F1 team boss Günther Steiner believes Oscar Piastri is not only finding joy behind the wheel but might also have the edge over his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris. After Piastri’s stunning win in China, Steiner sees the young Australian as a serious contender for the 2025 World Championship.
“Right now, I think Oscar has the upper hand. In China, he really showed what he’s capable of,” Steiner said on the Red Flag Podcast. “If I had to bet on someone to be World Champion this year, I’d put my money on Oscar.”
Steiner pointed out how Piastri’s recent pole position and post-qualifying confidence show a driver who’s not just performing well, but enjoying every moment of it.
“He seemed upbeat after qualifying – which is rare because he doesn’t usually say much. You can tell he’s having fun, and that only pushes him to want more. He’s in a great spot right now.”
McLaren Leading – But Not Untouchable
While Steiner considers McLaren the team to beat, he’s not convinced they’re unbeatable just yet.
“They’re not untouchable. You saw in the Sprint – if they don’t deliver a perfect weekend, others can catch them. There’s always someone ready to snatch the win. But when McLaren nails it, they’re the top team.”
Steiner acknowledged McLaren’s advantage but warned that the gap isn’t as big as it might seem.
“Yes, they had a decent lead, but it’s not like they were blowing past the competition. Mercedes, for example, has shown flashes of really strong pace. They just need a bit more to challenge McLaren properly.”
Quiet Consistency from Mercedes
Steiner praised Mercedes for flying under the radar while still delivering solid performances.
“I think Mercedes is doing a good job this year. They’re not beating McLaren yet, but no one really knows how fast they are. It’s subtle.”
He noted that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has shifted the spotlight away from Mercedes, even though they remain strong contenders.
“People are more focused on Ferrari and Hamilton than on Mercedes – mostly because Lewis is a star. He draws attention wherever he goes. Ferrari’s under big pressure now, mostly because of him. But that’s the deal when you bring in someone like Hamilton.”
Mercedes: Strong, but Waiting on Antonelli
Right now, Steiner sees Mercedes as the second-best team on the grid – consistent and well-rounded.
“No question, they’re the second-best team at the moment. Both drivers are solid, but one of them is still a rookie – and rookies need time. Otherwise, they’d be even stronger.”
Steiner praised their consistency and hinted that the future could be even brighter with Kimi Antonelli developing behind the scenes.
“As a team, they’re solid – great between qualifying and the race. George Russell is leading the charge, and now they’re just slowly bringing Antonelli up to speed. And he’s getting there.”
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Steiner Backs Piastri as 2025 World Champ Favourite
Steiner Backs Piastri as 2025 World Champ Favourite
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