McLaren boss Andrea Stella has observed that Oscar Piastri‘s ability to learn things “very rapidly” could ultimately see him crowned Formula 1 champion this year.
The Australian arrives at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, F1’s post-summer break resumption, nine points clear at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.
His advantage is now more precarious than it had been previously, with team-mate Lando Norris slowly chipping away as the European leg of the season has progressed.
This leaves both the papaya squad’s drivers sitting pretty, a country mile clear of everyone else, and a minor miracle now needed for a non-McLaren driver to emerge champion.
Despite Norris’ recent upturn in form, it is clear that both drivers are perhaps more equal than they have ever been since becoming team-mates two years ago.
When asked if one might hold any advantage over the other, Stella stated they are are “similar levels”, but observed Piastri has, in his third season, reached Norris’ standard.
“As you say, Lando may have a bit more experience in terms of number of races,” he said.
“He started the season in Australia with a strong result, but ultimately, in Australia, Oscar was there with Lando.
“Oscar lost points in Australia just because we had the sudden rain in the final part of the circuit.
“I think one of Oscar’s qualities is to learn very fast, very rapidly. He has demonstrated it in his career, winning pretty much first year in all the junior categories. He has demonstrated it at McLaren.
“Now we have Lando and Oscar driving and operating at very, very similar levels.”
How MCL39 changes have seen McLaren title battle gap close
The MCL39 soon became apparent to be a car Piastri was more adept at tackling, with Norris struggling with areas of it, despite its clear advantage over all other challengers.
But revisions to it, including a new front suspension configuration, have seen Norris claw back Piastri’s earlier advantage.
Stella was quick to acknowledge that the first incarnation of the car was something Norris struggled with.
But with both men now seemingly equally as comfortable behind the wheel, it sets up a potentially momentous battle between now and the season’s end.
“This season, what we have to acknowledge as a team is that we have made some modifications to the launch version of the car that actually affected Lando’s driving style,” he explained.
“We made some upgrades which mean that right now some of the settings used by Lando and Oscar are slightly different, but we are pleased that now both drivers can drive to a certain extent in a natural way.
“They can express their talent, and we see that they are very, very close. This makes it a great spectacle for Formula 1, this is what we wanted to achieve as a team, and I think it’s going to be very interesting until the end of the season.”
READ MORE – Where Oscar Piastri thinks Lando Norris F1 title fight will be won and lost
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