Key Highlights
- Oscar Piastri confirms that both he and teammate Lando Norris will start the Mexico City Grand Prix on a “clean slate.”
- The consequences previously given to Norris for contact in Singapore have been removed.
- Piastri takes responsibility for their first-lap collision at Austin.
- Verstappen’s consistent performance has brought him back into the championship fight, closing Piastri’s lead from 14 points to 40.
Returning to Clean Slate: Piastri and Norris on the Path Forward
Oscar Piastri, the reigning Formula One champion, has spoken about his approach heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Australian driver believes that starting the weekend with a clean slate will be crucial for both him and teammate Lando Norris.
Removed Repercussions and Clean Slate
In the aftermath of the Singapore Grand Prix incident, Norris faced some consequences from McLaren. However, Piastri confirms that these repercussions have now been removed ahead of the Mexico City event. This move is part of a broader strategy by the team to ensure both drivers can focus on racing rather than facing penalties or other distractions.
Personal Responsibility and Team Dynamics
Piastri acknowledges his role in the first-lap collision at Austin, stating that there was a “degree of responsibility” from his side. This admission reflects a clear understanding within the McLaren team about how they approach race incidents among teammates. Piastri adds, “We’ve gone through it again – we go through every weekend, regardless of what’s happened.”
Despite the recent challenges and the increased pressure from Max Verstappen, who has shown consistent performance in recent races, Piastri remains focused on his own driving. “It’s not really something I think about,” he said. “He has been very consistent in the last few weekends and been strong as well – there’s no denying that. But there’s no benefit for me in worrying about that or focusing on that.”
Verstappen’s Consistency and McLaren’s Strategy
The presence of Verstappen, who has declared his intention to win the title, is a significant factor in the current championship race. Piastri points out that while Verstappen’s performance has been strong recently, it does not change how he approaches racing. “The thing that’s going to help me to win this championship is trying to get the most out of myself, the most out of the car, the most out of the team around me,” Piastri explained.
Looking ahead to the Mexico City Grand Prix, which takes place on October 28 and 29, 2025, Piastri expects a competitive field. “The form card and where we think we will be strong, or where we thought others would be strong, has not always lined up perfectly,” he added. “Clearly over the last few race weekends, Red Bull and Max have certainly found consistency more than anything – there were flashes of that kind of performance earlier in the season, but I think the last few weekends it’s been very consistent.”
Conclusion
The Mexico City Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment for both McLaren and Verstappen. While Piastri remains focused on his own driving, he acknowledges the challenges posed by Verstappen’s recent consistency. The removal of repercussions from Norris and the clean slate approach are key factors as the team heads into this critical race weekend.
