Photo: Race Pictures

Piastri responds to Jos Verstappen's 'stand up for yourself' comments

20:48, 06 Nov

Updated: 22:35, 06 Nov

byOlly Darcy

Oscar Piastri has responded to comments made by Jos Verstappen after telling the Australian to "push back" in the title battle.

"I don't think anything needs to change."

- Oscar Piastri

The father of Max Verstappen stated that if he were in Piastri's shoes, or in Mark Webber's - who is Piastri's manager - then he would have "slammed my fist on the table internally, because now everyone is wondering whether he can handle the pressure".

However, the 24-year-old refutes what was said by the Dutchman, giving McLaren praise for the way they have dealt with both him and teammate Lando Norris while they vie for the world title.

"I think for me, we're always very open with each other in terms of what we think, whether we think things have been fair, whether we think the right decisions have been made," Piastri said in response while in the Brazilian Grand Prix paddock.

norris-piastri-collision-mclaren-singapore-gp-f1

Just one point separates Lando Norris at the top of the drivers' championship from Oscar Piastri - Photo: Race Pictures

He continued: "From that side of things, we can stand up for ourselves, and I feel very comfortable doing that, and that's very much encouraged by the team to make our point for ourselves individually.

"It's obviously a difficult dynamic to manage when you've got the two cars in the same team fighting for a championship that only one car can win.

"There's obviously going to be difficulties with that, but I respect the team allowing us to both try and fight for the Drivers' Championship."

Piastri wants to win the title 'on my own merit'

With such a tight title battle occurring between both Piastri and Norris, McLaren continued with their 'papaya rules' tactic, which has seen continued scrutiny throughout the 2025 season.

However, despite collisions in Singapore and Austin, Piastri confirmed in Mexico that repercussions within the team would not continue, ruling out any rumours of driver bias.

"I think for myself, I want to go out there and try and win the championship, knowing that I did it on my own merit and doing the things that I could do in my control," explained the Australian.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri celebrating McLaren's 2025 Constructors' Championship win at the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"Obviously, if you pick one driver, you've got a 50% chance that you're not going to be that driver, so I think for me, we're very much encouraged and welcomed to stand up for ourselves already. I don't think anything needs to change."

Team principal Andrea Stella also had his say on the topic of favouring one driver over another at McLaren, stating: "It's like when you have two sons!"

Piastri will be looking to make the most of the penultimate sprint weekend of the season in Sao Paulo and retake the lead in the Drivers' Championship after losing top spot to Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.