Oscar Piastri is feeling the pinch of the title race heating up after a disappointing weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
That is the view of one former F1 driver following the Australian giving up points to Lando Norris and Max Verstappen with a fifth-place finish and an opening lap crash in the sprint race.
One of the more stranger issues in Texas came at the back of the field with a driver defying orders to overtake his teammate.
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Plus, a team principal for one of the sport’s most iconic names is breathing a sigh of relief after a public showing of support following speculation about a bombshell move.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 18: Sixth placed qualifier Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren is interviewed during Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Peter Fox/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Peter Fox / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
‘INSECURE’ PIASTRI FEELING THE NERVES?
After a disappointing weekend in Texas, Oscar Piastri has been labelled “insecure” by former F1 driver turned Sky Germany pundit Timo Glock.
The German believes Piastri has been overcome with the pressure of approaching a first world championship title.
The Australian dropped points to title rivals Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, with the gap between them closing to 14 and 40, respectively as Piastri has not stood on the podium in the last four races.
“He’s insecure,” Glock said. “In his third year in Formula 1, he is in a situation where the pressure is growing.
“The free driving from the beginning of the year is no longer so easy.”
‘Far too close’ – Oscar calls for parity | 03:25
Glock thinks the entire McLaren team is feeling the heat as Verstappen continues to make a blistering charge.
The four-time reigning world champion has bagged 101 of a possible 108 points across Monza, Baku, Singapore and Austin, and is giving McLaren every reason to be afraid.
“The nervousness is there for the whole team,” Glock said.
“The problem is that there are race tracks where Mercedes is suddenly there, Ferrari was strong here. That’s the problem for Oscar and Lando, that there can be other teams that take points away from them.
“For me, Max Verstappen is too dominant for anyone to put him under pressure.”
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Fifth placed Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren is interviewed during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Clive Rose/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by CLIVE ROSE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
Piastri tried to downplay any such concerns when speaking to media after the US Grand Prix, saying: “I’d still rather be where I am than the other two [Norris and Verstappen].”
“Ultimately, if we can find our way again, find our pace, and certainly for me, find the pace again, then I don’t have any major concerns,” he added.
“Still a long way to go in the championship, it is still for Max anyway. He’s obviously chased it down pretty quick, but it’s not exactly a small gap with five rounds to go. So I think if we can find our pace again, then things take care of themselves.”
Piastri and Norris collide at turn one | 02:31
17TH PLACE CONTROVERSY
One of the strangest incidents in Texas was Franco Colapinto defying team orders to stay behind Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly in the final laps.
Colapinto was told several times to hold his position, but went against instructions, overtaking Gasly at the first corner of the third last lap to nab 17th place.
Gasly ended up finishing in 19th position after also being overtaken by Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, but Colapinto’s actions left head scratching post-race.
“We had quite a bit more pace than Pierre in the last stint,” Colapinto told The Race.
“And had Bortoleto really close behind, attacking very hard.
“He was much quicker than us and it was holding me up with how slow Pierre was going.
“I think it was the best for the situation to have me in front.”
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A525 Renault leads Franco Colapinto of Argentina driving the (43) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Colapinto was reportedly told by the Alpine team management that they disagreed with his action.
Alpine were concerned about being lapped by race winner Max Verstappen after the winner had caught them at the back in the last three races.
The team orders were designed to try make sure the cars would complete the 56th and final lap.
“Any instruction made by the pit wall is final and today we are disappointed that this didn’t happen so it’s something we will review and deal with internally,” Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen said.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 18: Fifteenth placed qualifier Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 looks on during Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Colapinto is trying to secure his Alpine seat full-time for next year after replacing Australian Jack Doohan earlier this season.
“I am motivated. We know that the car is tough to drive and it’s very difficult at the moment,” he said.
“We swapped positions a lot of times this year and they also let us race in other tracks.
“Here for this event, I was attacked very heavily by Bortoletto. It was probably the best to have me in front, otherwise we were going to get both overtaken.”
‘F***** idiot!’ – Sainz & Kimi clash | 00:55
FERRARI HORNER RUMOURS HOSED DOWN
Ferrari chairman John Elkann has tried to pour cold water on rumours of Christian Horner joining the famous Italian team, issuing a statement of support for current team principal Fred Vasseur.
Ferrari enjoyed a more positive weekend in Texas with Charles Leclerc earning a podium place and Lewis Hamilton one spot back in fourth.
Those results came after Elkann said Ferrari had “full confidence” in Vasseur, “and in the work he is carrying out”.
The old adage from football is that a public statement about having the full support of the board often spells doom, but Vasseur seemed confident in his future.
Former Red Bull boss Horner has reportedly been in contact with F1 teams as he looks to rejoin the paddock after his sacking earlier this season.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur watches before the sprint qualifying for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/John Locher)Source: AP
But Vasseur resigned with Ferrari in July, and he very much appreciated the public show of support from Elkann.
“For everybody it’s good to have this kind of message,” Vasseur said. “But as we have a permanent contract, we already had the message, that was more for the third party and external target.”
He was then asked by reports about important Elkann’s statement was to him, to which he said: “Yes, it’s important because like this you stop the discussion and you are focused on the next one and not to reply to all the questions about this.”