Oscar Piastri's Path to Redemption: Closing the Gap on Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri's season has taken a turn for the challenging, as he finds himself lagging behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Once a strong contender for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, Piastri's fortunes shifted dramatically after a difficult Azerbaijan Grand Prix last year. This season, the young Australian has struggled to regain his form, particularly under the new regulations that seem to suit Norris better.

In the latest _F1 Nation_ podcast, James Hinchcliffe and Jolyon Palmer dissect Piastri's current predicament ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. They highlight how Piastri, once leading Norris in early 2025, has since been overshadowed. A scrappy performance in Azerbaijan last year saw him drop to the back of the grid after a jump start and anti-stall activation, culminating in a crash. From that point, Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the upper hand, relegating Piastri to third in the standings.

The start of the 2026 season hasn't been kind to Piastri either, as he continues to trail Norris, who has capitalized on McLaren’s upgrades to secure wins in Hungary and the Netherlands. In contrast, Piastri's recent outing in Spain was described as "painful," as he finished a distant eighth.

Hinchcliffe and Palmer offered insights into Piastri's struggles, noting that the pressure of last season's championship fight may still loom large in his mind. Hinchcliffe pointed out that Norris's recent form has left Piastri in the shadows, suggesting that Piastri must find a way to close the gap to his teammate. "What has Lando found since Hungary that Oscar hasn’t?" Hinchcliffe mused, observing that while Piastri initially seemed to grasp the new rules better, Norris has since found another gear.

Palmer, meanwhile, suggested that the lack of a championship battle might afford Piastri some breathing room. "Oscar can be grateful that McLaren aren’t in the championship fight," he remarked, implying that this could allow Piastri the space to focus on improvement without the intense scrutiny that comes with a title chase.

Despite Piastri's current challenges, Palmer remained optimistic about his potential, recalling Piastri’s stellar half-season in 2025 when he appeared destined for greatness. "He’s capable of great drives," Palmer noted, though he acknowledged the need for greater consistency compared to Norris. He also highlighted that the current car's handling may not play to Piastri's strengths, particularly on low-grip tracks.

As Piastri looks toward the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a circuit where he tasted victory in 2024, the young driver will be hoping to rediscover his form. Perhaps a victory in Baku could be the spark he needs to reignite his season. Whether he can bridge the gap to Norris remains to be seen, but the journey promises to be an intriguing one for the Australian talent.