Title contender Oscar Piastri reveals why he appears cool on the outside but constantly struggles with nervousness on the inside
Formula 1 leader Oscar Piastri seems like nothing can faze him. “I definitely get nervous. I’m nervous before every race,” the McLaren driver assures us ahead of the first Grand Prix after the 2025 Formula 1 summer break in Zandvoort.
“I don’t believe anyone who says they’re not nervous. I think that’s impossible. It would be a bit strange if you weren’t nervous. So yes, nerves play a role,” explains Piastri, who is embroiled in a close title battle with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
Piastri leads the drivers’ standings with 284 points after 14 of 24 Formula 1 race weekends in the 2025 season. Norris is close behind with 275 points. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is currently in third place with 187 points and is now considered an outsider – it is likely that the McLaren teammates will battle it out for the world championship title.
Will nerves decide the world championship?
Will stronger nerves ultimately be the deciding factor? According to Piastri, it all comes down to “how you deal with nervousness and how you try to channel your emotions in the right direction. Because nervousness and tension can be good or bad. It just depends on how you deal with it.”
Piastri doesn’t say any more on the subject, but he does comment on why he always appears so calm on the outside: “For me, calmness is simply part of my nature. That’s just how I am. But over the years, I’ve also learned that this is how I can get the best out of myself – because on the one hand it’s something natural and on the other hand it’s a question of experience and learning.”
Piastri emphasizes: “It’s not the same for everyone. It’s not a miracle cure, but it works best for me.”
In any case, Piastri is going from success to success in 2025: he has already won six Grands Prix and has only failed to make the podium in Australia and Canada.