Piastri opens up on coping with title pressure: “Nicer place to be”

14:05, 14 Nov

Updated: 15:16, 14 Nov

bySamson Ero

Oscar Piastri says he’s in one of the best positions a Formula 1 driver can be, as he embraces the pressure that comes with racing at the top level.

“Where I am now and where the team is now is a bit different—a much nicer place to be and just more.”

- Oscar Piastri

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the McLaren driver described pressure as a privilege, before explaining why he feels he’s in an ideal position despite the intensity of competing in F1.

“In anything in life, if there's no pressure on whatever you're trying to do, there are normally one or two things: either you don't care, which is not a great thing, or it's not something worth fighting for,” Piastri said.

“When you're in this kind of position, there's pressure involved. It's tough, it's uncomfortable at times, but I would much rather be a bit uncomfortable at times and fighting for a world championship than trying to scrape a few points every now and again.”

“In my short time in F1, I've kind of experienced all of that a little bit, and where I am now and where the team is now is a bit different—a much nicer place to be and just more.”

Oscar Piastri during the Brazil Grand Prix - Photo: RacePictures.

The McLaren driver concluded by revealing that the pressure and excitement that come with competing in Formula 1 are the kind of things that drive him.

“This is what you go racing for, fighting for championships, especially in F1. This is kind of what you live for. Obviously, it doesn't come easily, and there's a lot of pressure that comes with that, but you're fighting for something worth fighting for, so it's going to be there."

Piastri is currently locked in a title fight with teammate Lando Norris, with 24 points separating the McLaren duo with three races left on the 2025 calendar.

The young Australian had led the standings for much of the 2025 season but lost the lead to teammate Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix following a recent run of underwhelming results.

Piastri clears the air on relationship with Norris

Piastri also set the record straight on his relationship with Norris amid their ongoing title fight. The McLaren driver alluded to the fact that the dynamics between the pair appear to be better, despite being locked in a championship battle.

Piastri also revealed that both drivers’ ability to often leave their on-track incidents on the track has played a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy relationship.

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