The last Australian to win a Formula One world championship has backed Oscar Piastri to win the title as soon as this year, labelling his McLaren teammate Lando Norris mentally “weak”.
Piastri is the first Aussie to be on top of the F1 standings since his manager Mark Webber in 2010 after his win in Saudia Arabia — Piastri’s third win in four races.
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The 23-year-old has shed any notion of being a No. 2 driver to Norris and has emerged as a serious contender to win the F1 world title this season.
Alan Jones won the F1 world championship back in 1980 and he remains the last Aussie to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Jones is tipping Piastri to make a serious charge for this year’s title, declaring the Melburnian has the temperament to challenge Norris and Max Verstappen.
“He is without a doubt a future world champion,” Jones told The Back Page on Fox Sports.
“He’s come out of almost nowhere and he’s got all the attributes that you need to be a world champion.
“Like any Aussie, it’s been fantastic. If you can tune into any sporting event and there’s an Aussie who’s a frontrunner or has a chance at achieving victory, it just makes it that much more interesting for you.”
Norris had been seen as the championship favourite heading into the season, but the Brit has faltered at key moments in qualifying and races as his early championship lead evaporated.
Norris’ habit of negative self-talk reared its head when he was particularly scathing of his own performance following a poor outing in qualifying in Bahrain.
“Just I’ve been off it all weekend,” Norris said, per the BBC. “I don’t know why. Just clueless on track at the minute. I don’t know. I just need a big reset.”
Norris being down on himself when he makes mistakes may well play into Piastri’s hands as the season goes on, according to Jones.
“The first person you’ve got to beat is your teammate,” Jones told The Back Page, in comments you can watch in the video above
“He (Piastri) can do it (win the F1 title) this year, no question. At the end of the day, his teammate is weak.
“His teammate is quite quick, there’s no doubt about that. But mentally, I think he’s quite a weak person. He’s coming out with all this nonsense that he’s got a bit of a mental thing, he’s dwelling on some of the problems he’s had rather than the positives.
“When they start talking all that nonsense, you know you’ve got them.”
It comes as former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher said if Norris’ mental demons continue to bubble to the surface, he could soon be blacklisted from rival teams.
“He knows that if he doesn’t perform this year, it will be difficult for him (to work with) other teams at some point,” Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.
“You know how it is in the paddock; once they think that you’re a rubbish driver or not mentally strong enough to become world champion, then of course, you no longer have access to the other top teams.”
Piastri’s unflappable nature has been evident since his F1 debut, with his calmness coming across over team radio.
“Oscar is a pretty strong minded young kid. I love him,” Jones gushed.
“He doesn’t show off, he doesn’t dance all over the place. He’s just a strong individual and that’s exactly what we need to get the job done.
“He’s got an old head on young shoulders. He’s very, very mature. He’s very laid back. He’s not easily ruffled, whereas I think his teammate is a little bit the opposite way.
“I think the teammate could be blown out quite easily and I think Oscar will take advantage of that. He’s got the brains and the strength to do that. He’s very laid back, he doesn’t say much and he gets on with it, which I love.
“Out of the car he’s quiet, but when he gets in the car he grows horns and that’s what you want.”
Verstappen was full of praise for Piastri after the Aussie’s win in Saudi Arabia and suggested Piastri could be the frontrunner for the championship.
“I think I’ve said it before, people forget a little bit – last year was his (Oscar Piastri’s) second year. Now he’s in his third year, and he’s very solid,” Verstappen said.
“He’s very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track. He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes – and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.
“And I think with Mark (Webber) by his side, he’s helping him a lot,” Verstappen continued.”
“It’s great. People learn from their own careers – that’s what I had with my dad (Jos Verstappen), and Mark is advising Oscar.”
“At the end of the day, Oscar is using his talent, and that’s great to see.”
Piastri came off best in a Turn 1 clash with Verstappen in Jeddah and Jones believes it won’t be the last skirmish between the Aussie and Dutchman this year.
“He sees a gap and goes for it, and Oscar is not going to be put off by that,” Jones said.
“There’s a lot of other drivers he’ll bluff and hold them to ransom a bit, but I believe Oscar has got the mental strength not to put up with that crap. He’ll just take it for what is and give it back to him.”
The F1 season continues this weekend with the Miami Grand Prix on Monday at 6am AEST.
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