Harsh criticism of Piastri: 'Sometimes he was like Senna, sometimes like Karthikeyan'

Oscar Piastri managed to win two Grands Prix in 2024, but there could - perhaps should - easily have been more. Indeed, the McLaren driver had access to the fastest car in the field for a long time, but also failed to deliver on several occasions. Daniel Juncadella, recruited by Aston Martin as a simulator driver, says in the podcast Duralavita that he expected more from the Australian.

It was only Piastri's second season in Formula 1, but already the youngster has won his first Grands Prix. Certainly in Budapest and Baku, Lando Norris' s teammate managed to excel, just as he sometimes had lesser moments - especially during qualifying.

Looking at the fluctuations in Piastri's performance, Juncadella was surprised. "One weekend he was like Senna, the next like Karthikeyan. Suddenly he didn't give any performance at all. That happened. Suddenly he lost it," said the Spaniard, who made his name in DTM, IMSA and WEC. He was also active in McLaren's simulator, which allowed him to see Piastri at work up close.

He continued, "I saw it many weekends. Sometimes I would sit in the simulator afterwards and listen to the briefings. I noticed he had lost his confidence, lost it a bit."

However, Juncadella is also convinced that Piastri is a top driver. "Piastri is a driver with a great career in the junior classes and I expect great things from him."