Just days after the end of the world championship — which marked the first title of Lando Norris’s career — McLaren CEO Zak Brown offered strong words of reassurance for the Australian, insisting: “You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year. Oscar’s going to be a world champion — and it could be next year.”

Speaking to a betting site, Villeneuve echoed Brown’s remarks, albeit with a slightly different take on the message: ”He might. Zak Brown should have said Oscar might be world champion, not will be. It was the same thing for Norris. This was the one year where he had to go and grab it. Because who knows what the regulations will do.”

The Canadian also offered a piece of advice to Piastri: “You have to be tough. That’s the crux of it. On the outside, it looks all nice and chummy, but it’s a tough world. And it didn’t work out this year, and he knows he had that championship in his hand. He was controlling it. That’s why it’s tougher for him than for Max, for example, who never expected to win it anyway.”

Villeneuve ultimately believes that, among the three drivers involved in the title fight, it was Piastri who emerged the most bruised — having also been beaten by Verstappen, despite the Dutchman not having a car as consistently competitive overall as the McL39.

”Out of the three drivers, it’s toughest for Oscar. Because he finished third in the end, behind Max, not even second. That will grate him. That’s something that he will have to digest this winter. Hopefully for him, he comes back to that first test a completely new man, forgetting completely about this season. He starts from zero, and fresh.”

The latest chapter of cricket’s fiercest rivalry — England versus Australia — unfolded at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a familiar setting for the local favourite, who was in attendance and briefly addressed the media during the contest.

The atmosphere did not go unnoticed. England’s travelling supporters, the Barmy Army, were reportedly heard directing aplayful chant towards the Australian. Piastri appeared unfazed by the taunt, acknowledging it with a grin.