Piastri explains ‘best way’ of approaching championship battle after bouncing back in style from Australian disappointment

Oscar Piastri has explained the "best way" he plans to go about his 2025 championship fight, as he opened up on the mental strength required to bounce back from his Australian Grand Prix disappointment at the start of the year.

The McLaren driver closed to within three points of team mate Lando Norris at the summit of the Drivers’ Championship standings after securing a dominant victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.

READ MORE: Norris 'being forced to drive in a different way' as championship leader opens up on car struggles

After sliding off the track in treacherous conditions at the season-opener in Australia, Piastri has been a model of consistency since with his Bahrain success adding to his Grand Prix win in China.

Asked about his mental strength to recover from what happened in Australia, he said: “I think it is a strength of mine, yes. I think one of hopefully a few strengths of mine, but it is something that I have kind of recognised myself as a point of difference and is something that I’ve tried to work on.

“Even after Melbourne, it was painful in the few days afterwards, but I think the fact that I had such a strong weekend through Practice, Qualifying and was on the pace in the Race, that was more encouragement than disappointment.

“I feel like the whole season has been going well and I’ve just been trying to get the most out of what we know is a quick car.

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“It’s been a fun first few races and hopefully, more fun to come.”

With McLaren looking the class of the field in these early stages, both Piastri and Norris have had to respond to questions about how they will approach a battle between them for the Drivers' title.

Batting away any consideration of changing how he goes racing given his championship potential, Piastri added: “I think it’s just genuinely very early. We’ve still got 20 races to go. I’m under no illusion that I’m trying to fight for a championship, but I knew that from before the season started.

"For me, the best way of trying to achieve that, especially at this early point in the year, is just by doing the best job you can each weekend and scoring the most points you can, then seeing where you end up towards the end of the year.

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“But the number one defence of a championship is by attacking and, for me at the moment, trying to win races and qualify on pole position, that is going to be the best help for my championship.

“I’ll try to do that, but it’s also the most fun way of going racing, trying to win the race, so I’ll keep doing it.”

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