Can Piastri recover from "crazy collapse" that began in Baku?

In Sao Paulo on Friday, Norris got his weekend off to the best start possible by topping the timing screens at the end of FP1, toppling Piastri from top spot as the McLarens dominated the only practice session ahead of Sprint Race Qualifying later today.

In the psychological warfare, that will intensify session by session until the final race in Abu Dhabi, even topping a practice session will sting the opponent. Piastri was P2 in FP1 at Interlagos. But the question remains: Has he spent considering the woeful run he has had since the summer break, with his Baku shenanigans the most costly of his escapades?

While the McLaren camp sorts out their Papaya rules and polemics, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is targeting a fifth title with serious intent. His FP1 time, only good for P17, is sure to be an anomaly.

Previewing the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Jacques Villeneuve has delivered a brutal assessment of Oscar Piastri’s title campaign, claiming the Australian is suffering a “total collapse” under pressure and insisting it has nothing to do with McLaren favouritism.

The 1997 World Champion said Piastri’s form slump began in Baku and has since spiralled, exposing what he believes is a psychological strain at the sharp end of the Formula 1 title race.

Villeneuve said: “We are seeing a total collapse from Oscar Piastri, which is crazy. It is due to the effect of the pressure when you have to step up. And you react differently.

“It started in Baku. But you could see it in his driving generally as well, even before the incidents like the mistake on the grid. And you could tell from that weekend he wasn't in the right place.

“The closer you get to the end of the championship the more the pressure is, and the difference in the type of pressure. Suddenly, you could lose what you have, which is the championship. The chances are gradually getting smaller and smaller.

“It’s always hard to be the prey. The best example is when you’re running. If you’re running looking backwards, you will tumble and you will run slowly. That’s what we’ve seen happening.”

He added that Verstappen’s resurgence has intensified the strain: “Red Bull and Max made a step forward. They made a step on a race weekend as well, not just with points. They made a step in speed and performance. Both McLaren drivers and McLaren know that Max is a force. And when he’s rolling towards you, it’s unstoppable.”

Villeneuve questioned whether Piastri can find another gear: “Max has. Maybe Piastri is just driving like before but it is just not enough anymore. Did he lower his guard or is he stuck at what is his maximum level?

“What was confusing was that after qualifying he said his lap felt good. When you’re behind like that, normally you start to drive a little bit harder. If you get out of the car and say, ‘No, that felt great, there’s no issues,’ that means you’re just not pushing. That was always an odd comment.”

JV added that the mental toll is now visible: “When you get close to the finals, you see that in every sport. Some teams that are average all year suddenly step up, others collapse. Pressure has a different effect on everyone and we’re seeing it right in front of our eyes now because there’s three of them fighting.”

The Canadian dismissed suggestions McLaren are favouring Norris: “I don’t think he’s been saying that. I think that comes from fans. If you look at the way the season’s been going, even last year, Lando clearly was not a favourite.

“They did everything in their power to not help him with the championship last year. There was never a helping hand or favouritism towards Lando. The collapse is clear, it’s there. It has nothing to do with favouritism.”

Villeneuve believes the dynamic has shifted: “Last year he was the hunter. Now he is the prey. Until this race, he was the hunter because he was looking at Piastri. I think Max was always looking at Lando. So, we will see now how he reacts.

“Last year when he was fighting Max, he drove superbly. It seems to be easier for him than fighting his teammate, which is logical, because fighting your teammate is almost like fighting against your own team.”

Villeneuve said the team is powerless to favour one driver: “How can you give team orders when they both can win? Lando was only a win and a half behind in the championship. That’s ludicrous because they’re both number one drivers anyway. Contractually, they couldn’t.

“If you look at Vettel’s first championship, Webber had been ahead all season and the only time Vettel led was in that last race. The team never played team orders, and they could have actually lost the championship.”

Villeneuve expects Mark Webber to play a crucial mentoring role: “I’m sure Webber is busy putting Piastri in the right direction, giving him strength, and telling him, ‘You can’t tumble like this.’ Mark also knows that that could be the only chance with the new set of rules next year.”

And as for the title fight the Canadian said: “Yes, Norris is the favourite, because he also has the pace and he seems to be strong. Now the gap is so close between everyone a bad weekend doesn’t mean you finish third.

"You finish fifth, sixth, seventh, you lose a lot of points. Max will fight for a podium, and Lando with the McLaren, no reason for him to not fight for a podium. Those points for Max are hard to go and get now," added Villeneuve.