Oscar Piastri has a clear sense that his 2025 F1 saga stands head and shoulders above his two previous seasons, even though heartache over the title still stings. In his third year, he climbed to the top of the standings from Saudi Arabia all the way to the Mexico City Grand Prix, only to lose momentum late in the season and allow Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to seize the advantage.
Piastri finished 13 points behind Norris, with both men logging seven race wins. He did better than his 2024 tally of two wins and closed 82 points behind Norris, who finished second to Verstappen overall.
A standout breakthrough for Piastri came in qualifying, and the Melbourne native explained how the season’s lessons extend beyond the cockpit into 2026.
“I’m definitely proud of the season I’ve had. When I compare this year to my first two years in F1, this one is head and shoulders above them,” Piastri told reporters, including RacingNews365.
“Ultimately, the final result isn’t exactly what I wanted, but there’s a lot of optimism and strength I’ve gained from proving to myself what I can achieve this season.
“These kinds of gains aren’t solely tied to the numbers. I can definitely carry that forward into the future. It’s only my third attempt at F1, and I hope I’ve got plenty more to give, but there are definitely lessons from this year that will make me stronger.
“There have been concrete takeaways about how I drive the car, how I can perform better in different conditions, and how to become a more complete driver.
“There have also been off-track lessons—how to handle adversity, how to navigate tough moments. I’ve learned a lot about myself in those situations.
“So, there have been both in-cockpit and personal growth experiences that will help me going forward.”
For fans mapping out the upcoming season, don’t miss the 2026 F1 calendar, easily portable to your phone or computer.
Download the calendar (https://racingnews365.com/add-the-2026-f1-calendar-to-your-agenda-with-one-click)
