Mark Webber compares Oscar Piastri’s F1 title bid to Lewis Hamilton after tough run
Oscar Piastri’s manager and former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber has insisted that the Australian driver has the motivation to “get him turned around” as the title battle heats up heading into the final three rounds of the season.
Piastri was overtaken by his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to take the lead of the drivers’ standings at the Mexico Grand Prix, and the Briton has since extended his lead to 24 points after a perfect weekend in Brazil. While Piastri is fighting his team-mate for his first drivers’ title, the threat of four-time champion Max Verstappen cannot be discounted.
The Red Bull driver has made a strong comeback following the summer break, winning the Italian, Azerbaijan and United States Grands Prix. In comparison, Piastri has failed to secure a podium finish since the Italian Grand Prix.
Webber discussed Piastri’s performance with Channel 4 after the Brazil Grand Prix, insisting that he has the motivation and character to turn things around.
“Well, get him turned around! I don’t think he’s low on motivation, put it that way,” he explained. “He’s had a tough run but this is about character, about fighting those deep motivations that you need at this point to come back. This is his third year in F1, so he needs to find that character to come back.”
Webber also noted Piastri’s “incredible journey so early in his career” and his support for his fellow Australian through the championship fight.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Well, of course, it’s a journey for him. Obviously, an incredible journey so early in his career to fight for a world title. Year three is pretty unprecedented. I think it was Lewis [Hamilton], I mean, not many people that have done this so early in his career.
“So naturally, that’s in the equation to understand the boundaries of how that can look for him without putting too much pressure on the situation. And also, when I went for my championship, I was an old dog, I was really old at the end of my career. He’s early in his career, so there’s different nuances there. So a bit of everything – arm around him, a bit of encouragement here and there.”
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