Oscar Piastri has revealed that the resurgence of Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship fight will not change his approach to his own title goals.
The Australian leads the standings by 40 points from the Dutchman in third place, with team-mate Lando Norris second, 14 points behind.
However, Verstappen’s deficit to Piastri was 97 points before the summer break, with the Red Bull driver having taken three victories and two second places in the last five races.
It places Verstappen firmly back into title contention, with many wondering whether he can pull off an amazing turnaround to secure a fifth straight title.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Piastri admitted that Verstappen and Red Bull’s newfound form has even come as a surprise to him.
“I think probably, yes,” he told media including Motorsport Week when asked if he felt the title was just between him and Norris at the time F1 recommenced from its break.
“But I think probably everyone did. The run of form that he’s had since Monza has been, I think, a bit of a surprise.
“Again, there were flashes of that kind of performance at certain points earlier in the season, but there were also some pretty big dips.
“So for him to now be consistent – that has been a bit of a surprise.
“We know they’ve still been throwing a lot of things at their car, trying to improve it, so in some ways, it’s not a huge surprise.
“But I think for everyone, he’s probably come into the fight quicker than I expected.”
How McLaren plans to nullify Verstappen threat
Despite acknowledging the threat Verstappen now brings to the title fight, Piastri explained that spending time worrying about the Red Bull man is not helpful.
That is why, then, the long-term championship leader harbours no plans to alter his approach to the title fight across the remaining five races.
“It’s not really something I think about, no,” he said.
“I think he’s been very consistent in the last few weekends and been strong as well – there’s no denying that.
“But for me, there’s no benefit in worrying about that or focusing on that. The thing that’s going to help me win this championship is trying to get the most out of myself, the most out of the car, the most out of the team around me, and worrying about anyone else on the grid is not focusing on that.
“So he’s there, he’s in the fight, but ultimately that doesn’t change how I’m going to approach my racing.”
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit provides a unique challenge for the drivers, with its long start-finish straight and high altitude making it a tough test.
Asked whether he feels McLaren enters the race as favourites, Piastri exercised caution given that the momentum has been with Verstappen over recent rounds.
“Difficult to know,” he pondered. “I think the form card and where we think we will be strong, and where we thought others would be strong, has not always lined up perfectly, which has often been the case in this generation of cars.
“But I think clearly over the last few race weekends, Red Bull and Max have certainly found consistency.
“I think more than anything, there were flashes of that kind of performance earlier in the season, but the last few weekends it’s been very consistent.
“So I’m sure they’re going to be a threat again this weekend, and we’ll try our best to get the most out of our car and see where we end up.”
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