Piastri delivers F1 title prediction after dominating Norris

Oscar Piastri expects to be engaged in a "tight battle" for the F1 drivers' championship with Lando Norris across the rest of the season.

The Australian took his second victory of the campaign to move within three points of his McLaren team-mate, who sits atop the standings after four rounds on 77 points.

However, the 24-year-old is not yet ruling out other contenders, with Max Verstappen and George Russell within striking distance of the papaya pair, on 69 and 63 points, respectively.

Piastri took an emphatic win at the Bahrain Grand Prix, comfortably having the measure of Norris all weekend. He executed when it mattered to take pole before managing the race in Sakhir perfectly. Finishing first never looked in doubt.

Meanwhile, the Briton underdelivered in qualifying, only lining up in sixth. In the grand prix, he endured a scruffy evening at the Bahrain International Circuit, only recovering to third.

Despite the undeniable statement of intent, Piastri maintains it will stay close between both McLaren drivers throughout the year.

"I think it’s going to be a tight battle," he told media including RacingNews365. "I think there are going to be other contenders. What we’ve seen at the moment is… We’ve not had a consistent challenger week in, week out.

"It’s kind of been somebody different, which from the championship point of view makes life difficult for others.

"But yeah, I think it’s going to be a tight year, definitely. And I think as long as we have the best car, it’s going to be tight between Lando and I."

Piastri gives Norris title rivalry verdict

Given Verstappen had split the Woking squad's two drivers until his disappointing sixth-place result in Sakhir, Piastri was asked after the race if he felt this was now the start of his championship rivalry with his team-mate.

However, the four-time grand prix winner rejected the premise of the question, replying: "I thought it started from Melbourne, to be honest."

He added: "But yeah, it’s still so early. I think at the moment we’ve got a great car underneath us. I feel like for the most part we’ve been able to do a good job with it. I think we’re in the positions we should be in."