Oscar Piastri says he’s enjoying the battle as Formula 1 championship leader

Oscar Piastri does not feel any tension regarding his current position as leader in the Formula 1 championship, and the McLaren driver says he is "enjoying" the battle at the top of the table.

The Australian F1 driver now has a 22-point lead over team-mate Lando Norris, after their crash in Canada saw Norris retire from the race.

While on the one hand he did not manage to win, fourth place allowed him to be the only McLaren driver to finish the race, further strengthening his advantage within the team from Woking.

This is only Piastri's third season in Formula 1, and his first time challenging for the title, but he seems content with a situation where many drivers in his place would feel more pressure.

The young driver answered the question if he feels pressure, especially if it seems to him that this might be his only chance to win the title, Piastri told motorsport week that this is not the case and that he actually enjoys the current situation.

“I don’t think I see it as my only chance,” said Piastra. “Of course, I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I don’t see the point in putting extra pressure on myself and thinking ‘now or never’.”

“I’m still very early in my career, and of course this is a great opportunity, but I’m just going to try to win as many races as I can. Hopefully that will eventually look good in the championship.”

“I think I learned that through my junior career and my early years in Formula 1 – you need time away from Formula 1. Because otherwise it can get pretty exhausting very quickly, and that’s still exactly the same now.”

Piastri and his preparation

Oscar stressed that he has already found the best way to prepare for races and how to be in the best psychological state.

“Even though it’s a little different now because I’m fighting for the championship and stuff like that, I think I’ve already learned the lessons of how to function best and how to come to each race weekend fresh,” he explains.

“Honestly, I enjoy this position. It’s quite fun trying to win races and fight for the title. And right now, the pressure is no different.”

“I just try to do my best on the track. The only difference is that now it means fighting for the win, whereas before I was fighting for the podium or points, like a couple of years ago.”