Oscar Piastri has proven himself one of Formula 1’s sharpest talents, demonstrating composure and precision when overtaking top drivers like Max Verstappen in 2025. His racecraft is widely admired, but according to 1996 world champion Damon Hill, the young McLaren driver may need a different quality if he wants to claim a championship: a bit more selfishness.
Speaking on the Drive to Wynn podcast, Hill advised Piastri to prioritize his own title ambitions over being overly fair to teammates or the team. He suggested that Piastri’s past generosity on track may have cost him critical points, and that learning to put himself first could make the difference in 2026.
One pivotal example came at Monza. Piastri was poised for second place behind Verstappen after a dominant performance earlier in the season, but a slow pit stop for teammate Lando Norris forced McLaren to ask Piastri to give up his position. He complied, allowing Verstappen to benefit, a moment that subtly but significantly altered the momentum of his title campaign.
The season further unravelled with misfortune in Baku and a mid-season dip in performance, leaving Piastri struggling to maintain his early lead. Although he regained form with strong results in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the lost points meant he ultimately finished third in the championship, despite having built a 34-point advantage over Norris mid-season.
For Hill, these setbacks are lessons rather than punishments. He believes the experiences should teach Piastri to sharpen his instincts and adopt a more assertive approach when the championship is on the line, rather than allowing fairness or team considerations to compromise his own title ambitions.
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