Oscar Piastri sees cooler statistics ahead after five wins in nine

MONTREAL - Oscar Piastri could stand alone after Canadian Grand Prix on June 15 as the only Australian to win six or more races in a single Formula One season, but the 24-year-old has bigger and better statistics in his sights.

Only Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, world champions both, won five in the same year although their tallies reflect the fact that there were far fewer races then to a campaign than the current record 24.

Piastri, who leads McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 10 points in the championship, has won five of the nine so far and been on the podium in the last eight.

It will surprise nobody if the remarkably calm driver is back on the top step at Montreals Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 15.

“It’s a nice stat to have,” he said of matching the maximum season haul of 1980 champion Jones and late triple title-winner Brabham.

“I’d be happier with the stat of joining them as world champion.

“To have five wins in nine races is beyond what I expected really, even with a very competitive car,” he added, saying there had also been a few other moments he wished he could rerun.

“While those stats are cool, that’s ultimately not why I’m here,” he said. “I’m here to try and win even more races and fight for a championship. So I think there’s some cooler statistics to come, hopefully.”

Piastri said he expected Montreal to be a continuation of how the season has gone so far, with champions McLaren winning seven of the nine and Red Bulls reigning champion Max Verstappen the other two, and also good for him.

“Max will probably be competitive again. This was a very competitive race for Mercedes last year and I expect them to be quick