What ‘the entire Formula 1 paddock’ was saying about Oscar Piastri before the 2025 season started

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After winning their first constructors’ championship since 2008 last season, McLaren were tipped to have a half-decent car for the current campaign, and Alex Jacques has shared what the ‘entire Formula 1 paddock’ was saying about Oscar Piastri ahead of it.

The level of dominance that the British constructor displayed during the first half of the season was more of a surprise, however.

With the help of Lando Norris, a McLaren driver won all but three of the Grands Prix that were held before the summer break as they arrived at the midpoint of the season with a 299-point advantage over Ferrari in the F1 standings.

Piastri was clearly the more in-tune driver in the opening rounds of the year, despite suffering a setback at the season-opener in Australia, which saw him lose a multitude of positions as he raced Norris on the wet streets of Melbourne.

READ MORE: Brazilian Grand Prix race predictions as F1 experts decide if Lando Norris will extend championship lead

The F1 paddock thought Lando Norris would get off to a ‘very quick start’ at the beginning of the 2025 F1 season

Piastri bounced back from his misfortunes in Australia to take a comfortable lead in the championship upon the grid’s return to action after the summer break in the Netherlands.

Thanks to an engine failure for Norris in the closing stages of the Dutch GP, Piastri took a 34-point advantage in the standings.

Speaking on an episode of the James Allen on F1 podcast, F1 commentator Alex Jacques shared the surprising prediction that the F1 paddock had regarding the Australian’s chances before the season commenced.

The Brit started by offering his verdict on which way the championship will swing this season, saying, “I think it will be shared out, because even if you look at those run of races, Lando got on a roll before the summer break in Europe, it still felt like Oscar was quickest, Oscar was winning in Zandvoort.

“To be honest, it’s felt like Lando, ever since he got the front end sorted on that car at the Canadian Grand Prix, it’s felt like he’s been able to access more of his talent in a way that, at the start of the year, Piastri just stole his start. 

“The entire Formula 1 paddock expected Lando to get off to a very quick start, win a lot of the first six races, and control the championship.

“That was the expectation from Bahrain testing. So for Oscar to steal that start and assume that mantle has been really surprising. But I think the track’s coming up will favour all of them in different ways.”

READ MORE: Anthony Davidson ‘impressed’ by what he saw Oscar Piastri do after enduring disappointment

Oscar Piastri has lost some confidence in the MCL39 after such a strong start to the 2025 F1 season

Recent races haven’t been as fruitful for the 24-year-old. After securing at least a podium in all but two of the races during the first half of the campaign, he has failed to taste champagne in his last four appearances.

The tough string of results has seen his championship advantage turn into a deficit, as he currently chases Norris in the standings by a single world championship point.

After tipping the Australian to win the title earlier in the season, Charles Leclerc has changed his mind on the outcome of the title, highlighting that it is simply now too close to call who will walk away as a world champion once the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi.

Jos Verstappen thinks Piastri’s fall from the top has damaged the reputation of the young star. If he is unsuccessful in regaining the lead before the end of the season, his 34-point advantage after the Dutch GP will be seen as one of the largest overturnings in F1 championship history.