1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve suggests that Oscar Piastri will receive favors from Formula 1 stewards compared to Max Verstappen.
Piastri enjoyed an incredible start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, winning four of the six opening races.
Prior to the Emilia Romana Grand Prix this weekend, Piastri was at the top of the F1 driver’s ranking, 16 points ahead of McLaren’s teammate Rando Norris.
Piastri has proven to be a fierce rival who is on track in the opening round of the season.
He fought Verstappen hard on the opening lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and the Dutchman scored a five-second penalty for the fight.
Piastri was offensive against Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap of the Miamis Print, but importantly, he avoided the penalty.
Villeneuve believes Piastri has important advantages in this year’s Formula One title race. Because he is unlikely to be punished by the steward.
“Oscar Piastri doesn’t seem to be affected by the pressure and he has a great mentor for Mark Weber,” Villeneuve told Vision4Sport. “He’s someone Oscar can turn to. I don’t go as far as to say his father figure, but there’s this balance.
“Piastri is loved. He now looks like a golden child. If something happens, he can’t be given a penalty as easily as Max Verstappen. It’s also a great help in fighting for the championship.
“It reminds me when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are fighting for the championship. If they make the same move, Nico will get a penalty. In the next race, if Lewis makes the same move, he won’t be punished.
Villeneuve gets heavier in F1 title battles
Piastri has momentum with a strong start to this year, but Villeneuve still sees Norris having a “slight edge” in the title race.
Canadians feel that the next few races are important to see if Norris bouncing “psychologically” following the suppressed error-related start of the year.
“I think Rand Norris has a bit of an edge to win the World Championships for drivers if he recovers psychologically,” added Villeneuve. “The next two or three races are very informative to see what happens mentally for Rand and how he is formed.
“Oscar Piastri is currently at Rand level and he won’t step back, he’s getting stronger every time, so he might make a bit more progress.
“How does it affect Norris, who lost his lead in the championship race? It makes him a loser again and brings him back to last year’s Land. Or will it break him down? It’s hard to read.
