McLaren-Pilot Oscar Piatri is on the best way to choose Formula 1 world champion for the first time in his young career. Ex-champion Alan Jones believes that his compatriot brings everything that is necessary. In addition, he also sees Piatri in the duel with Lando Norris on the psychological side.
Oscar Piatri has a good chance this year to become the third Australian Formula 1 world champion in history. The 24-year-old leads the World Cup ranking after 14 out of 24 races. His lead over Team colleague Lando Norris is only nine points before the Grand Prix of the Netherlands (live on free TV at RTL), but overall it looks more solid and a little bit faster than his British adversary in the races.
Ex-world champion Alan Jones, who introduced the title in 1980, has no doubt that his compatriot brings everything to step into his big footsteps.
Jones: That’s why Piatri is so successful in Formula 1
“He has all the qualities that you think you need to be super successful in Formula 1,” said Jones in an exclusive interview with RTL/NTV and sport.de. Every now and then someone just gets, “no matter what he is doing, it is successful. And he is one of these people. He was successful in Formula 3, he was successful in Formula 2 and now he is leading the World Cup.”
According to Jones’ assessment, the 24-year-old’s attitude is particularly decisive for Piatris Success.
“There are some drivers out there who more enjoy their time outside the cockpit than the time in the cockpit. You know: he is at the matter, he has a goal. And he will do everything that is necessary to achieve it. He will do everything that is necessary to win a race. That is what you have to do,” said the former Formula 1 star.
“Lando Norris is mentally a bit weak”
Because the head on the hunt for the World Cup title is so important, Jones sees his compatriot even in the direct duel against Lando Norris.
“As far as mentality is concerned, he has an advantage over Lando. I think Lando is mentally a bit weak,” said Jones, who sees it critically that Norris has often commented on psychological problems in the past. The ex-champion believes that the Brit has made itself vulnerable.
“Anyone who comes out and admits that they have a little mental problem has lost before the start. You have to stay very concentrated, nobody shouldn’t tell anything and not reveal any secrets,” said Jones. This is a reality in Formula 1.
The former world champion did not want to judge whether Piatri was smarter in this regard, but: “Perhaps he is smarter in the sense that he stays on his side of the garage. He is not involved in politics, he is one man less words. Perhaps he is psychologically smarter,” said the only Australian formula 1 champion so far.