Piastri’s fearless approach has Verstappen’s respect, says Hill
Damon Hill believes Oscar Piastri brings something to the track that even his champion teammate Lando Norris doesn’t quite match – fearlessness when going wheel-to-wheel with Max Verstappen.
“I think Max recognizes that Oscar will not hesitate. He won’t think twice,” Hill explained on the Drive to Wynn podcast. “He arrives and then he’s attacked. He just goes straight in there.”
Hill sees this decisive overtaking style as one of Piastri’s greatest strengths.
The former world champion pointed to their battle in Saudi Arabia as evidence of Piastri’s boldness.
“Remember what happened in Saudi Arabia when they both started biffing each other, and Max took to the escape road and then played silly buggers by not giving the place back? I don’t think Oscar’s particularly intimidated by that.”
This fearlessness has apparently earned Piastri a different kind of respect from the three-time world champion.
“I think there’s a little bit more respect,” Hill noted. “Lando can be a little bit more circumspect and wary of Max, and Max knows that.”
Piastri just missed claiming second place in this year’s championship, finishing third in the standings. He ended up just 13 points behind teammate Norris, with Verstappen taking the runner-up position.
The Australian’s rookie season was nothing short of remarkable. He started 2023 in incredible form, winning five of the first nine Grands Prix for McLaren.
After the Dutch Grand Prix, where Piastri claimed victory and Norris retired, the young driver actually held a 34-point lead over his more experienced teammate.
But something changed mid-season. Former F1 driver Romain Grosjean has expressed confusion about Piastri’s performance dip in the four or five races following Monza.
The sudden shift in form remains something of a mystery, especially considering how strongly Piastri began his campaign.
What’s certain is that the young Australian has established himself as one of the grid’s most fearless drivers – someone even Verstappen has learned to approach differently than he might Norris.
Looking ahead to next season, fans will be watching closely to see if Piastri can maintain his aggressive style while building on the consistency needed to challenge for a championship.
