Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has downplayed any frustrations after McLaren denied his request to challenge for victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, despite believing he had the pace to fight for the win.
The 24-year-old finished third behind teammate Lando Norris and race winner Max Verstappen, marking a strong podium finish, though one that left some wondering what could have been had team orders played out differently.
With nine laps to go, Piastri made a clear call over team radio:
“I think I have the pace to get Max.”
At that point, the McLaren duo were running in second and third, but Verstappen, though vulnerable, was maintaining a manageable lead. Norris, ahead of Piastri, appeared to be making little impression on the Red Bull driver, prompting Piastri to ask for a position swap. Team management, however, refused to intervene, opting to maintain their track positions.
No Regrets, Says Piastri
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a potential back-to-back win following his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, Piastri remained diplomatic.
“There wasn’t much [debate],” he told reporters post-race. “I felt if I had track position I could go and get Max, but that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately. I at least asked the question. I think that was a fair response.”
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Piastri’s maturity stood out as he acknowledged the role qualifying had played in shaping his Sunday. Starting behind Norris and Verstappen had, by his own admission, “dictated a lot” of what he could realistically achieve.
A Strategic Tightrope for McLaren
McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella defended the decision not to allow team orders, reinforcing that the team’s broader objectives took precedence over individual ambitions.
“We are here first of all to beat the other teams and put McLaren in a very strong position,” Stella explained. “When McLaren is in a strong position, then that’s the best position for the two drivers to pursue their aspirations.”
He added that the pace differential between Norris and Piastri wasn’t obvious, noting that Norris was actively managing his tyres, which may have affected how aggressively he could push in the final stages.
Verstappen’s Masterclass Proves Decisive
The race itself was shaped from the outset by Max Verstappen’s exceptional qualifying lap, which earned him pole position in a session where McLaren had otherwise looked dominant. The Red Bull star then delivered a flawless race to clinch his fourth consecutive win at Suzuka, extending his formidable record in Japan.
Verstappen now sits on 61 points, just one shy of Norris’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship. Piastri, with 49 points, holds third and remains firmly in contention after a stellar opening phase to his season.
Positives Ahead of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
For Piastri, the result was a mixture of satisfaction and “what ifs”. While the qualifying misstep cost him track position, his race pace was electric—a fact he and the McLaren garage will no doubt carry as momentum into the upcoming back-to-back rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
“It’s obviously not the result I wanted,” he said, “but I think in terms of the pace and the way I achieved the result, that’s what I wanted. There’s still a lot of positives to take out of this weekend. The pace was mega.”
“Next time, I just have to make sure I’m in a better position to use it.”
Championship Battle Heats Up
As the early championship battle tightens, McLaren finds itself in a delicate balancing act—managing two highly competitive drivers while trying to fend off an ever-consistent Verstappen.
The decision not to switch their drivers at Suzuka may spark debate in the paddock, but for now, McLaren’s approach appears unified—and Piastri, ever the team player, is on board.
Whether future races will test that unity remains to be seen. But with Bahrain and Jeddah up next, and the margins at the top growing ever finer, the stakes for team orders and split-second strategy calls have never been higher.
Japanese GP Podium – Suzuka, April 6, 2025
🥇 1st – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
🥈 2nd – Lando Norris (McLaren)
🥉 3rd – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Drivers’ Championship Standings (After Round 3):
- Lando Norris – 62 pts
- Max Verstappen – 61 pts
- Oscar Piastri – 49 pts
