Oscar Piastri “Much Happier” After Return to Form in Brazil Sprint Qualifying

Oscar Piastri says he finally feels “much happier” behind the wheel of his McLaren MCL39, after qualifying third for the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint at Interlagos a result that marks a welcome return to form for the Australian after several difficult weekends.

The 2025 title contender has endured a noticeable dip in performance in recent races, allowing teammate Lando Norris to overturn what once looked like a commanding lead in the Drivers’ Championship. But with Piastri back on the pace in São Paulo, he believes he has rediscovered the confidence that made him a championship frontrunner earlier in the season.

“The soft [tyre] was just a bit different to what I expected,” Piastri explained after qualifying. “A couple of big moments on my first lap, which wasn’t ideal that was a bit of a shame.

“But ultimately, I felt much happier today than the last couple of weeks. Practice went very well, and in Sprint qualifying we changed a few things, which took a little bit of getting used to again. But yeah, ultimately, I’m pretty happy. Would have liked a little bit more, but we can definitely fight with what we’ve got.”

From Dominance to a Title Battle

After his Dutch Grand Prix victory earlier this year combined with Norris’s late retirement Piastri looked to be marching toward his first world title, holding a 34-point lead at the top of the standings.

However, a string of mistakes and a lack of comfort with the car on low-grip circuits saw that advantage evaporate. Norris now leads the championship by a single point heading into the Brazilian Sprint, while Max Verstappen remains within striking distance, 35 points behind the leader.

Piastri’s strong showing in Brazil suggests he may have turned a corner at a crucial moment in the title fight.

Weather Could Shake Things Up

Saturday’s Sprint and qualifying sessions could be heavily influenced by the weather, with severe storms forecast around Interlagos. Rain has often played a dramatic role at the circuit and Piastri is preparing for anything.

“It’s going to be an interesting day,” he said. “Let’s see what weather we get. I’ll try and take whatever opportunities there are. The pace in the car has been really good today, so hopefully that translates to whatever we get.”

A Renewed Sense of Confidence

For McLaren, Piastri’s return to form couldn’t come at a better time. The team leads both championships heading into the final four rounds, and having both drivers performing at their peak could prove decisive.

With Piastri back in contention and feeling confident again, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in what has become one of the closest and most unpredictable F1 title battles in years.

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