Oscar Piastri led more grands prix than any other driver last season, but faced criticism after a tough weekend in Spain.
## What happened?
Piastri had a narrow qualifying deficit and a surprising lack of pace in the grand prix, leaving him buried in Q3.
He got within 13 points of last year's world championship, but seven rounds into the season, Spain seemed to sum up his year to date.
## Why it matters for Oscar Piastri
Nico Rosberg, the 2016 champion, claimed Piastri's market value has taken a plunge in the last weeks and months, with Lando Norris jumping ahead.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 champion, agreed, saying Piastri collapsed halfway through the season and hasn't recovered.
## What comes next?
But the data doesn't bear out these claims, with Piastri impressing last season by taking on the more experienced Norris in a title-contending McLaren.
He started as the underdog, but took the title lead after five rounds, leading the series for 15 weekends before a late wobble.
Piastri vs Norris in 2025 showed a narrow qualifying head to head, with Norris leading 13-11, and a qualifying differential of 0.1 places.
The time differential was 0.067 seconds, with Norris faster, and the race head to head showed Norris leading 12-9.
The race differential was 0.1 places, with Norris ahead, and the points showed Norris leading 423-410.
Piastri's performance in the 2025 season was strong, with 410 points, and he's still a contender in the 2026 season.
The commentariat may have written him off, but the data shows he's still a force to be reckoned with.
And with the 2026 season still in its early stages, Piastri has plenty of time to turn things around and make a push for the title.
But for now, he's focused on improving his performance and getting back on track.
So what's next for Piastri?
He'll be looking to bounce back from his tough weekend in Spain and get back to his usual form.
With the support of his team and his own determination, he's capable of achieving great things.
The 2026 season is still young, and Piastri is ready to make his mark.