Oscar Piastri labels Max Verstappen as 'perfect example' in key F1 issue

Oscar Piastri has suggested Max Verstappen is the “perfect example” of a driver who didn't need to win championships to prove he was ready for F1.

Verstappen had a very short junior career following his progression from karting success, as he raced just one year in single-seaters before his progression to F1.

Piastri, meanwhile, had a more traditional route to the a spot on the grid as he climbed the ladder and enjoyed various title successes, including back-to-back F3 and F2 titles.

Having narrowly missed out on adding the F1 championship trophy to his personal cabinet last month in Abu Dhabi, Piastri stated the emotions that come with an F1 title fight are similar to those he experienced during his junior career.

“I think there are similarities, yes,” Piastri told media including RacingNews365. “The emotions you feel are more or less the same.

“I think what’s different in F1, when I compare it to the junior championships, is the length. The longest junior championship I had was 10 rounds.

“This one has been two and a half times that. The duration you have to live through is much more.

“My F2 season, for example, was eight rounds. So I think that part is quite different.”

Verstappen's sole season in the European Formula 3 Championship saw him end the year in third place, with current F1 rival Esteban Ocon sealing the title.

But Piastri pointed to the Dutchman as an example of junior titles not counting for everything when it comes to F1 potential.

“In the junior categories, you obviously want to win the championship, but you’re trying to make your case for why you should be in F1,” Piastri said. 

“I think we’ve seen through the years — Max is probably the perfect example — you don’t need to win championships to demonstrate your capabilities for F1.

“Whereas when you get to F1, there’s nothing more than becoming champion. So that aspect is a bit different, but, yeah, there are also some similarities.”