Palmer Hails Piastri’s ‘Coming of Age’ After Narrow 2025 Title Defeat

Overview

• Jolyon Palmer labeled Oscar Piastri the most improved driver of 2025 and described his season as an “amazing coming of age.”
• Palmer highlighted Piastri’s stronger Saturdays as pivotal, noting a qualifying turnaround from 2024 that regularly set up race-winning chances.
• Piastri won seven Grands Prix and, according to Palmer, could have had up to 10 without a Silverstone penalty and strategy setbacks in Budapest and Qatar.
• After leading the standings from April to October, Piastri’s late dip opened the door for Lando Norris, who won the drivers’ title by 13 points as McLaren dominated.
• Back home in Australia, Piastri thanked supporters and joked to Fox Sports that he had “ruined a lot of people’s sleep schedules,” while coverage also notes speculation that 2026 rule changes could aid rivals such as Mercedes.