Steiner doubts Piastri’s title credentials after Mexican GP slump

08:46, 30 Oct

Updated: 09:01, 30 Oct

byTobia Elia

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner spoke about Oscar Piastri’s loss of the championship lead in Mexico and, more broadly, his recent dip in form.

"One of the things I could conclude out of it is that Oscar doesn’t get the support from the team to win the championship"

- Guenther Steiner

When asked on the Red Flags podcast to assess the Australian’s performance in Mexico, Steiner replied: "It wasn't good enough to be world champion. He's struggling now. I don't know what exactly is happening, but one of the things I could conclude out of it is that Oscar doesn’t get the support from the team to win the championship."

"You lose a little bit of your mojo, you have doubts, and you don’t perform as you used to. You don’t perform anymore thinking, ‘I’m here to win,’ because at the beginning of the season, he had no pressure since he was the unofficial number two in the team.

"Obviously not officially, but again, Lando has been there a lot longer. He’s older, he’s got a lot more experience. Oscar comes in, wins races, puts himself in position — everything goes right."

Oscar Piastri - Photo: Race Pictures

He finally added: "Then, with all these papaya rules — I don’t even remember them all. In the end, I think he lost a bit of confidence. And in qualifying, you’re out there on your own — it’s tough. He didn’t have a good lap, and starting where he did in Mexico, you don’t really stand a chance."

Herbert: Piastri 'can't be ruled out' despite dip in current form

Despite missing out on the podium once again in Mexico — a result that cost him the championship lead he had held for most of the season, with momentum now firmly swinging towards his teammate — Johnny Herbert still believes Piastri remains very much in the title fight.

The former FIA steward believes that with Piastri now shifting from the one being chased to the one doing the chasing, he may actually feel less pressure heading into the final stretch of the season.

Herbert advised the Australian not to change his approach and to keep doing exactly what has worked for him so far this year. Here’s his full quotes.

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