HINCHCLIFFE: Piastri was phenomenal in 2025 – and history shows he’ll be even better next year
Oscar Piastri may have just missed out on the title this year, but IndyCar race winner and F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe reckons the Aussie will be even more impressive in 2026.


Much has (rightly) been made of the incredible seasons both Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have had. It was a title battle between two titans of the sport that raged all season long and came down to the last lap of the last race.
Except… that’s not quite right.
It was, in fact, a battle between three titans of the sport, which ebbed and flowed, culminating in a final race title decider. Oscar Piastri was the championship leader and odds-on favourite for the crown as far into the year as September.
Norris’ turn around in form and Verstappen’s historic comeback both just happened to coincide with a slight performance dip from Piastri.
Next Up
Related Articles
All the key moments from the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
BettingRed Bull's Baku brilliance gives Verstappen fresh hope
UnlockedHow Hadjar cleverly handled his comeback to claim a podium in Baku
Where does Russell’s Baku win rank in the closest F1 finishes?
BARRETTO: Why Ferrari have moved to shield Vasseur
Binotto wants Slater in an F1 seat in the near future
