Romain Grosjean Baffled by Oscar Piastri’s Late-Season Slump: “Felt Like His Cousin Was Driving”

Speaking to beIN Sports, Grosjean remarked that Piastri’s performances between Monza and Qatar were so uncharacteristic that « it felt like it was his cousin driving »—a comment that has sparked widespread discussion about the Australian’s late-season struggles.

A Tale of Two Halves

Oscar Piastri entered the 2025 season as a genuine title contender, leading the championship for much of the first half. His consistency and racecraft saw him secure seven wins and multiple podiums, establishing a commanding lead. However, after the summer break—and particularly following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza—Piastri’s form collapsed.

Over the next four to five races, his performances were so far below his usual standard that even seasoned observers like Grosjean were left scratching their heads. The abruptness of Piastri’s decline was especially striking given his earlier dominance, which had seen him lead the championship by over 30 points at one stage.

« Oscar Piastri is the one I just don’t understand this year. He was so strong before the summer break, and then after Monza, for four or five races… it felt like it was his cousin driving. »

Theories Behind the Slump

While Grosjean did not offer a definitive explanation for Piastri’s dip, several factors have been suggested. Some point to the psychological pressure of leading a title race, while others speculate about potential issues with car setup or tire management on certain circuits like Austin and Mexico.

Piastri himself has acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining peak performance under such intense scrutiny, especially as a young driver in only his third full F1 season.

A Late Resurgence

Piastri showed signs of recovery in the final races, notably in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where he returned to his earlier pace and even secured pole position. However, by then, the damage had been done. His championship lead had evaporated, and he ultimately finished third in the standings—13 points behind teammate and champion Lando Norris.

Despite the disappointment, Grosjean remains optimistic: « He’s going to learn. He’s still very young and has few seasons in F1. He’s shown huge potential and a lot of very good things. »