Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has predicted that Oscar Piastri will edge out McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to win the Formula 1 Drivers’ title in 2025.
The Woking-based team has emerged as the runaway leaders this season in terms of both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
Heading into the final 10 rounds of the season, only nine points separate Norris from Piastri, with their closest title rival, Max Verstappen, sitting a mammoth 97 points back.
And while Marko has already thrown in the towel as far as the Dutchman’s title chances this year are concerned, the Austrian was quick to observe a clear favourite.
“Piastri has the nerve, is more consistent, and always gets the best out of himself,” he told F1 Insider.
As things stand, Piastri has secured six wins this season compared to Norris’ tally of five – giving him a slender mathematical advantage in the standings.
However, on track, the Australian has seemed more in command of the MCL39 than the Briton, whose struggles with the 2025-spec McLaren have been well-documented.
“I’ve never seen him [Piastri] so emotionally charged [as compared to Norris],” he continued. “Norris may be faster per lap, but overall I see Piastri ahead.”
Marko insists Verstappen still top dog
With the inherent deficiencies of the RB21, Verstappen hasn’t been able to replicate the results that propelled him to four consecutive titles between 2021 and 2024.
Yet, even this season, the 27-year-old has shown flashes of his undeniable brilliance, such as his spectacular pole lap in Japan, setting him up to take a stellar victory.
Looking ahead to 2026 – when new regulations will be introduced – Marko hopes that the Milton Keynes-based squad can ameliorate the issues impeding its success.
And if the team can do so, he is more than happy to bet on the Dutchman over Piastri.
“Piastri has had an incredible career and is improving year after year,” he assessed.
“He had some major fluctuations last year, depending on the track. That’s no longer the case.
“But Verstappen is Verstappen. He [Piastri] still has a long way to go. The potential to become a truly great driver is there, though.”
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