OSCAR ADMITS IT

"Yeah, I could be world champion this year."

Those were the words from Oscar Piastri, talking to The Australian, in the run-up to the Monaco Grand Prix.

The result of the race is irrelevant – or nearly irrelevant – in the big scheme of this year's title fight.

Aussie Oscar was 'only' third in Monaco, fighting a tail-happy car for the whole weekend, as his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris scooped the big biscuits.

But the season is only one-third done, Piastri still has a three-point lead, and there are plenty of races to run, and win, as he pushes for the world title.

There are lots of other numbers that play well for him.

He is the only driver who has finished in the Top 4 places at all eight grands prix in 2025.

He has four wins, double the number for Norris and Max Verstappen.

His average finishing position this year is 2.1.

“I’m happy with that overall. More points on the board and another trip to the podium in Monaco," Piastri said after the race.

"It’s been a tricky weekend for me - I got close yesterday but not quite close enough, so there are a few things to work on for next year – but if this is a tricky weekend then it’s really not going too badly at all!”

Ironically for a proud Aussie, Monaco was Piastri's second home race after moving there in 2025.

He's also happy with how things are going in F1, as he told The Australian.

"There's pressure. But I feel like I'm ready for it. I'm confident," he said.

"It's going to be a tough fight between myself, Lando and Max, but if we keep doing what we're doing, I think we're going to be all right in the end.

"Being put in a winning position for the first time, I feel like I'm handling it pretty well. I really like where I am. This is where I've always wanted to be."