'I've got to drive the car very differently' – Piastri reflects on Mexico City GP result after losing championship lead

Oscar Piastri has admitted he's had to "drive the car very differently these last couple of weekends" after finishing fifth in the Mexico City Grand Prix and losing the Drivers' Championship lead to McLaren team mate Lando Norris.

The Australian has been on a difficult run of form in recent races, failing to reach the podium in the last four Grands Prix, which also included Sunday's race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Piastri finished 42s behind polesitter Norris, who claimed a lights-to-flag victory which has moved him back into the lead of the standings for the first time since April by one point and with just four races remaining.

"I think the last couple of races has been surprising in terms of the pace," said Piastri having failed to match Norris' performance across the weekend.

"I think there's been... we have some evidence of where the pace is and what to do but I've got to drive the car very differently these last couple of weekends, which when it's been working well for you for the previous 18 [races] is a little bit difficult to kind of wrap your head around.

"We tried a few things today and we'll have a look if that's what we were looking for."

Piastri started seventh for the 71-lap race but lost further positions on the opening lap as those ahead went off into the grass through the opening turns.

The McLaren driver made steady progress thereafter from ninth, overtaking Yuki Tsunoda and George Russell on track while also jumping Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli through the two pitstop phases.

Piastri had closed to within DRS range of Ollie Bearman in fourth over the final laps, but a late Virtual Safety Car prevented him from making further progress.

"It was a tricky Turn 1," said Piastri, reflecting on the start. "I think the guys ahead hit the grass or hit a patch of dirt and I was kind of the next car directly behind it so when I hit it, I lost a lot of grip and drifted wide, lost a couple of spots there.

"So that was a shame but I think the recovery after that was reasonable, just very difficult to overtake. Tried our best."