Ecclestone certain: 'He is the best driver in Formula 1 after Verstappen'

19:54, 27 Aug 2025

Updated: 10:41, 29 Aug 2025

byEstéban den Toom

Former owner of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone, seems certain that Oscar Piastri will become world champion this year in the in F1. However, he also sees that there is a driver better on the current grid than the Australian.

Piastri is currently only nine points ahead of Lando Norris, but according to Ecclestone, the Australian from McLaren will be crowned world champion this year. "He simply does his job.'' Ecclestone said in an interview with Sport.de.

''If he makes mistakes, he knows he made them and does not blame others or make excuses. He ensures he does not repeat those mistakes. He doesn't make them twice, he is the best driver after Max Verstappen.''

Oscar Piastri

Ecclestone on McLaren and Zak Brown before the Dutch GP

"You see how lucky these guys are, they are in the right team at the right time,'' the former F1 supremo added. ''There were certainly drivers who were better than the current ones, but who never had the opportunity to show their qualities to someone.''

''Zak Brown is doing very well. I recently told him, as I have known him for a long time: 'I don't think you are very talented, but one of your talents is that you choose the right people to work for you.' He surrounds himself with the right people and keeps them together. The people at McLaren are doing a good job."

Big announcement from McLaren for Dutch Grand Prix

Zak Brown, the CEO of the McLaren team, also talked atuob a possible collaboration with Verstappen ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. This is what the American said about the four-time world champion.