Oscar Piastri defended by Australian motorsport veterans after criticism from former F1 champions

Following Oscar Piastri's fifth‑place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, former Formula 1 champions Nico Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve publicly questioned the Australian driver's recent form and market value. Their remarks sparked a swift response from Australian motorsport figures James Courtney, a former Supercars champion, and Bathurst star Garth Tander. Both denounced the criticism as overly harsh, noting that McLaren has struggled with reliability and development this season, making it difficult for any driver to shine. They highlighted that Piastri remains only five points behind teammate Lando Norris in the championship and would be a top candidate for any leading team should a vacancy arise.

The defenders also pointed out that the criticism was based on a single disappointing weekend in Barcelona, emphasizing that Piastri's overall performance, including multiple podiums and close points tally with Norris, warrants a more balanced assessment. The debate underscores the broader challenges faced by McLaren rather than any decline in Piastri's talent.