Guenther Steiner believes Oscar Piastri can become a Formula 1 world champion in 2025.
The former Haas team principal feels the 23-year-old is “ready” to take the next step with McLaren after winning the constructors’ championship with the team last campaign.
Piastri’s first test this year will be on home soil at the season-opening race in Melbourne.
Since joining the F1 program in 1985, a local talent has yet to win the Australian Grand Prix, although Steiner thinks that could change in March.
“I think he has the right car now, and I think this is his year,” he told the Herald Sun.
“Coming in as a rookie, he overdelivered for a rookie in 2023 and in ’24 he followed up with some improvement.
“And this year, now he’s ready to go for it.”
Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, finished second in the driver standings last year, 82 points clear of the Aussie in the fourth.
Steiner is of the opinion that the pair are even in terms of talent, but notes that Piastri will want to make a fast start in 2025 if he wants to be prioritised by the team in the back-end of the season.
“Talent-wise, Lando and Oscar are very close,” he said.
“I think they are the same. They have got the same speed … I think as the season goes (on) they will want one of their guys to go for the driver’s championship.
“Obviously, the pressure now comes onto Oscar because he shows he can do it.
“Now he needs to want it a little bit more because he wants to win a world championship now.”
The Australian Grand Prix will take place at Albert Park from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16.
