Down Under on Top: Oscar Piastri’s Trajectory to Success

Oscar Piastri is only in his third season in Formula 1, and he has already achieved more than many of his fellow drivers. Multiple race wins, a Constructors Championship, and now in the lead of the drivers standings in 2025 are just a few of those accomplishments. 

Piastri celebrating his win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Courtesy of Kym Illman/Getty Images/CNN.com.

As an Australian native, he joins a very exclusive club of drivers who have seen success in Formula 1. Only four other Aussie drivers have won a race in the sport, with Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Mark Webber, and Daniel Ricciardo reaching the top step of the podium in their careers.

Jack Brabham and Alan Jones are also the only two Australian drivers to clinch a title, with the former taking the trophy for the most wins from down under: 15. As Piastri already has seven wins to his name, he isn’t far from breaking that record in his third season.

It’s clear that McLaren has the fastest car this season, but history has proven time and time again that a good car isn’t the only factor in finding success. Piastri has skill, and he has used the benefits of the papaya team’s masterclass in engineering to help propel him to the top spot in the standings this year.

Piastri was one-half of the line-up to help McLaren win their ninth Constructors’ title, a feat that hasn’t happened since 1998 with Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard.

Häkkinen and Coulthard after winning the 1998 Constructor’s title. Courtesy of GPKingdom.it.

This isn’t the only series where Piastri has proved his worth, as he was a back-to-back champion in F3 and F2 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The next year, he was an Alpine reserve driver before getting a seat in Formula 1 with McLaren, which proved to be a good move for both the Australian driver and the British team.

Ayrton Senna is widely recognized as one of, if not the most successful, McLaren drivers in the sport’s history. Piastri recently matched Senna’s record of eight consecutive podiums, with the only other driver to equal that feat being Lewis Hamilton.

With this recent record, Piastri has proven that he not only has talent but is also consistent. Victories aren’t the only important thing in Formula 1, as a driver needs to excel in every area of the race weekend to see results in both standings.

A missed win or podium could completely tarnish a driver’s former success and cost them a championship or position in the standings, so it’s important to get the absolute best results in every race to stay on top.

So far, Piastri has been successful at most of the races, being the driver with the most wins in 2025. If he continues on this path for the rest of the season, he is capable of winning his first title. 

However, he is also competing against his teammate, Lando Norris, who has also been dominating this season and is extremely successful in 2024. He hasn’t been as consistent as his Australian counterpart, but that can change at any time in this sport.

Both McLaren drivers have contributed massively to the team’s success in the Constructors’ standings, having won multiple races each. There is no question of whether or not these drivers are talented, but it is always tricky when two teammates are fighting for their first title.

Norris (right) and Piastri (left) celebrate their 1-2 finish at the Monaco Grand Prix alongside McLaren CEO Zak Brown (middle). Courtesy of McLaren.com.

Even with the papaya domination, other teams and drivers could rise over the remaining races. Ferrari started the season fairly weak, but with upgrades and the summer break, they could always bounce back.

Reigning champion Max Verstappen should also never be counted out. He may not be as dominant as he once was, but he is a force to be reckoned with. If the Dutch driver finds an opportunity to take the top spot, he won’t hesitate, and not many other drivers have the mindset that he has.

Right now, the McLaren drivers and Verstappen are the only three drivers to have won a race in the 2025 season, so they seem to be the top contenders for the title. 

Mercedes has also been a powerhouse team, even with a rookie driver. They may not be winning races yet, but their points are certainly racking up and could play a role in future success.

Piastri still has the rest of the season left to go, and nothing is decided yet, but his success is a storyline that many have not seen in years, especially this quickly. The Australian driver will have a career that is remembered, and it’s only the beginning for him.

Edited by Reese Dlabach