Piastri slows down off-track to go faster on it

LONDON :Slowing down may be the way to go faster for Oscar Piastri as the McLaren driver seeks to become the first Australian since Alan Jones in 1980 to conquer the Formula One world championship.

The 24-year-old leads British teammate Lando Norris by 15 points, and five wins to three, as the season reaches halfway at Silverstone this weekend.

The Australian is the only driver to have scored in every grand prix and remains remarkably chilled despite the pressure of a two-horse title battle that looks set to become ever more intense.

Speaking to Reuters at a McLaren fan event, full of noise and excitement, in London's Trafalgar Square on Wednesday, Piastri said it was important mentally to know when to switch off and slow down.

"I kind of know my limits. And know when I need to get away from F1 and do something else," he said.

"It's the little things in life. Our season's so busy that ultimately you just want to go and do normal things.

"Spend time with the people around you. Sit on the couch for a few hours. Just regular things. Go for a walk. Just slow down in life, really. And that's, for me, what I find important away from racing.

"I don't have that many hobbies outside of F1, let's say. I ultimately got into racing because it was my hobby at the start and now it's my job. So it's still a passion of mine.

"So when I'm not racing, I just like to do very, very wholesome things in life."

HIGH STAKES

On track, both he and Norris know what is at stake. Piastri felt they were managing to keep a lid on things, despite wheel-to-wheel racing, a collision and some near misses in recent races.

"We're going about it in the best way that we can ... Lando and I get on well," said Piastri. "We've worked together really well for the last three