Oscar Piastri has fired back at his critics ahead of this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix, insisting he still has the belief and ability to fight for the Formula 1 world championship.

The 24-year-old Australian, who surrendered the lead of the drivers’ standings for the first time in six months after McLaren teammate Lando Norris triumphed in Mexico City, remains defiant about his title hopes.

“I’ve still got what it takes to win,” Piastri declared on Thursday at Interlagos. “People can think what they want. For me, I know I can still win the championship. Sure, there have been some bumps along the road, but that’s been the case for everyone this year.”

Piastri has struggled to match Norris in recent weeks, having been outpaced by his teammate at the last five races. Yet the Australian says he’s taken valuable lessons from his recent challenges.

“I’m confident I’ve learned a lot from the last couple of weekends,” he added. “I still believe I can perform at the level that brought us success earlier this season. There’s a long way to go, and I’m very confident I can still win.”

Once 34 points ahead of Norris at the start of September, Piastri’s lead has evaporated amid a resurgence from four-time world champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver has slashed his own deficit from 104 points to 36 after three wins in the last six races, moving into striking distance in third place.

Critics, including 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have questioned Piastri’s ability to handle the pressure at the sharp end of the title fight, with Villeneuve describing his recent form as “a total collapse.”

Without a win since the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri knows he must deliver a strong performance in São Paulo to reignite his championship challenge — and keep alive his dream of becoming Australia’s third world champion, and the first since Alan Jones in 1980.