Oscar Piastri has said Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel’s title triumphs in 2007 and 2010 give him “the tiniest amount of comfort” heading into Formula 1‘s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Australian comes into the race weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit third in the Drivers’ standings, 16 points adrift of leader and McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.
While gunning for his maiden F1 title, from this deficit especially, might look like a tall order on paper, it has been overcome in the sport’s recent past.
In 2007, Raikkonen entered the season finale in Brazil trailing the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
That said, a race win for the ‘Iceman’ in Sao Paulo and his rivals’ unable to secure enough points meant he took the crown by a single point.
Similarly, Vettel won his and Red Bull’s first-ever Drivers’ title at Abu Dhabi 15 years ago – coming into the race weekend in third and never having led the standings.
Piastri, however, while taking “comfort” in knowing that a turnaround for him is possible, wasn’t banking on it happening a third time to help him pip Norris and Max Verstappen.
“Nice stat to have, given that I’m in that position,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But just because history has gone that way once doesn’t mean it will again. So, I’m certainly not leaning on that, but maybe it gives me the tiniest amount of comfort that it is possible.”
For his team-mate Norris, however, Verstappen stands as his closest title rival.
The Dutchman’s seventh win of the season, at Qatar, last weekend, means he comes into the season finale just 12 points off the Briton.
The four-time World Champion needs to win at Yas Island and hope Norris finishes outside the top three to secure a fifth consecutive F1 title.
When asked if a scenario in which he would have to sacrifice his own title ambitions to accommodate Norris was discussed, Piastri firmly denied the same.
The 24-year-old also insisted that he would make up his mind only when that question is posed to him by the team.
“It’s not something we’ve discussed. So, yeah. I mean, until I know what’s kind of expected… I don’t really have an answer until I know what’s expected of me,” he replied.
Piastri not aiming to deliver Webber redemption
Back in 2010, Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber, came as close as 14 points to clinching the F1 title. But Red Bull team-mate Vettel spoiled his party that evening.
Naturally, with his protege now in a similar position with a Red Bull once again in his way, many believe Piastri is fuelled to avenge Webber.
However, for Piastri himself, while he acknowledged how instrumental the 49-year-old has been in his career, he is vying for the title for his own “selfish” and “personal pride”.
“I think for me, I’m trying to do it for myself. Ultimately, as racing drivers, we’re pretty selfish people most of the time,” insisted Piastri.
“And ultimately, we’re the only ones in the car doing it for our own personal pride. Obviously, there are a lot of people along the journey – your family, your friends, managers, whoever it might be, people that supported you.
“But ultimately, you start out in this sport because you want to do it for yourself. So yeah, that’s first and foremost. I’m sure Mark would love to see me win, obviously. But yeah, there’ are no kind of thoughts about paying that back or anything like that.”
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