Ralf Schumacher Questions Oscar Piastri's 'World Champion' Potential

Oscar Piastri's star seems to be dimming in the competitive world of Formula 1. Once a fierce contender for the championship, the Australian's fortunes have taken a downturn since the introduction of new regulations in 2026. After a promising 2025 season where he led the championship for 15 weekends, Piastri ended up losing the title to his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and finished behind Max Verstappen in third place. This season, Piastri has struggled to adapt to the new era of F1 cars, failing to secure a podium since Miami and languishing in seventh place in the standings, 94 points adrift of Norris.

Ralf Schumacher has weighed in, questioning whether Piastri's future at McLaren is secure and suggesting that rival teams no longer view him as a 'future world champion.' Schumacher compared Piastri's situation to that of George Russell, noting that sometimes, developments within a team can sideline a driver. "He hasn’t forgotten how to drive," Schumacher remarked, acknowledging Piastri's talent but questioning whether the car's development has favored Norris over him. Piastri's recent split with manager Mark Webber may also signal a shift in his career strategy. Webber, a former Red Bull driver, was reportedly dissatisfied with how Piastri's title bid unraveled in 2025.

Though it's unclear who will take over as Piastri's manager, the decision to part ways with Webber marks a significant change in his professional circle. Schumacher speculated that while Piastri might find opportunities with teams like Williams or Aston Martin, who might struggle to attract top drivers, the notion of him as a future world champion is fading among other teams. For now, Piastri's focus will be on improving his performance and proving that he can still compete at the highest level.