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<\/p>\nTwo of Formula One\u2019s most recognisable voices have heaped praise on Oscar Piastri \u2013 and claimed the \u201cunbelievably gifted\u201d Australian will bounce back from a challenging season.<\/p>\n
After breaking out in spectacular fashion to lead the Drivers\u2019 Championship for a large chunk of 2025, the 25-year old has now gone more than 12 months without an F1 title to sit a distant seventh in the standings, well behind leader Kimi Antonelli.<\/p>\n
But after finishing sixth in the second practice for this weekend\u2019s Italian Grand Prix, veteran commentator David Croft had nothing but praise for Piastri \u2013 and a confident prediction on his future.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI firmly believe Oscar Piastri will rise again, as it were, and be a Championship contender,\u201d Croft said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf not this season, but in future seasons to come. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s too good not to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former driver turned commentator Karun Chandhok couldn\u2019t have agreed more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of natural speed and talent, he is unbelievably gifted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri. (Photo by Clive Mason\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The practice was dominated by George Russell, who bounced back to beat his championship-leading Mercedes teammate Antonelli and both Ferraris on their home turf on Friday when he topped the times.<\/p>\n
Russell, who was three-tenths of a second adrift in third place in the opening session, led the way with a best lap of one minute and 22.559 seconds to finish 0.120sec clear of Charles Leclerc with Antonelli third, 0.141sec adrift.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got through a lot of work today and seem to have decent pace, but there is more to do,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Ferrari looked very competitive and are still the team to beat here, but McLaren have been strong recently and will be in the mix. Red Bull, too. It is encouraging.\u201d <\/p>\n
Antonelli\u2019s hopes of winning on home asphalt will be impacted as he is set to start from the back of the grid after exceeding the permitted number of power unit changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not too far away in terms of competitiveness, but we need to be strong if we are to battle towards the front of the field,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will need a lot of overtaking and we gained some experience by running in traffic today in long runs.\u201d <\/p>\n
The table-topper was left furious with Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto, after his push on a fast lap was derailed by the Brazilian going significantly slower around a turn.<\/p>\n
Forced to brake and take an outside line, Martinelli loudly complained over the radio to his team before pitting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat an idiot!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat an absolute idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n
World champion Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had been second behind Leclerc, sporting a special livery to celebrate Michael Schumacher\u2019s first Monza win 30 years ago, in a Ferrari 1-2 earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri was sixth in the second McLaren, with the Red Bull of four-time world champion Max Verstappen only ninth fastest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really bad,\u201d said Verstappen, after sitting out opening practice to allow reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa to drive in the session.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like I\u2019m on ice and the brakes don\u2019t work either \u2013 and it\u2019s much worse with fuel on board too. It\u2019s bouncing incredibly.\u201d <\/p>\n
It was a very satisfactory session for Russell who is 59 points behind Antonelli in the drivers\u2019 title race and knows he must take full advantage of the young Italian\u2019s engine penalties.<\/p>\n
Hamilton, chasing a record eighth world championship, is also hoping to make up some of his own 59-point deficit to Antonelli.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be tight,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very close up against Mercedes and McLaren. They are very competitive. Every weekend the Mercedes is just really quick.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be tough for sure, but we need to knuckle down now tonight and see if we can pull something out.\u201d <\/p>\n
Alex Albon will line up next to Antonelli at the rear after the Williams driver also incurred a penalty for power unit changes.<\/p>\n
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. (AP Photo\/Antonio Calanni)Source: AP<\/p>\n