Oscar Piastri has rubbished claims that McLaren team-mate Lando Norris was the cause of his poor form in Formula One.

Despite previously leading the Drivers' Championship by 34 points, Piastri now trails Norris by 24 points heading into this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Piastri has failed to finish on the podium in each of his last five Grands Prix, as many times as in the Australian's previous 20 races.

He has finished fifth in each of his last three races, while also failing to score points in the most recent Sprint race in Sao Paulo.

But despite claims of Norris controlling the mentality in the team, Piastri insisted only he was to blame for his recent performances.

"I think it's been more that the last few races have been difficult for myself," he said.

"There have been different reasons for all of that, but I think in terms of the way I’ve gone about racing and the way the team has supported me – the way we set up the car and things like that – it has all been identical through the whole season.

"For me, it's just that there have been some tough lessons to learn, some tough moments to have to accept, and nothing more than that."

Media day moments with OP81 #McLaren | #LasVegasGP  pic.twitter.com/E7XHqbWDQ2

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 20, 2025

McLaren have won 756 points in 2025. If their two drivers won 10 more points in Las Vegas, the British team will surpass Mercedes' 765 points in 2016 as the second-highest score by a team in a single season in Formula 1 history.

Yet, McLaren have not thrived at the track since it was added to the calendar in 2023, but Piastri is determined to change that this weekend.

"In terms of driving style, we'll have to see what we get," he added. "Vegas is very specific to – or very unique in – conditions, and the downforce level, the temperatures, the track surface, so we'll see what we get.

"But from a mindset point of view, I'm just trying to get the most out of what I can do. Drive as well as I can, adapt as well as I can to whatever it needs, try and get the car in the right place, and basically do that as often as I can."

DRIVERS TO WATCH

Lando Norris – McLaren

Norris has been on the podium 17 times in 2025. Only one driver has been on the podium more times in a single Formula 1 season: Max Verstappen on two occasions (18 times in 2021 and 21 times in 2023).

The British driver has taken pole position in each of the last two races at the Mexican and Brazilian Grand Prix.

The last driver to take three consecutive pole positions was Verstappen, who took eight in a row between November 2023 and May 2024.

Norris will appear in his 150th Formula 1 Grand Prix, all of them with McLaren.

He will equal David Coulthard as the driver with the most Grand Prix for the British team, as well as equalling his compatriot's record as the fifth driver with the most Grand Prix for the same team in the competition.

From down and out in the Dutch dunes to leading the championship by 24 points 

It's been quite a comeback by Lando Norris #F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/QDgWH3137f

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 19, 2025

Max Verstappen – Red Bull

Verstappen is the only driver on the grid to have finished on the podium in each of the seven Grand Prix races held since the summer break, starting in the Netherlands and continuing through to Brazil.

He has also finished in second or third on 56 occasions. If he finishes on the podium without winning once again, the Dutchman will equal the records of Rubens Barrichello and Valtteri Bottas (both 57).

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers'

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 390

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 366

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 341

4. George Russell (Mercedes – 276

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 214

Constructors'

1. McLaren – 756

2. Mercedes – 398

3. Red Bull – 366

4. Ferrari – 362

5. Williams – 111