Oscar Piastri Clinches Saudi Arabian Grand Prix After Verstappen Penalty Drama
April 21, 2025
Oscar Piastri Clinches Saudi Arabian Grand Prix After Verstappen Penalty Drama
The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix under the floodlights of Jeddah delivered fireworks well before the checkered flag. What was shaping up to be another Max Verstappen masterclass turned on its head when a first-corner incident led to a controversial penalty—and Oscar Piastri seized his moment.
A Flashpoint at Turn One
As the lights went out, Verstappen led the pack from pole, but McLaren’s Oscar Piastri had a rocket launch from second. Heading into Turn 1, the pair went side-by-side, but Verstappen ran off track and retained the lead by shortcutting the runoff. Over the radio, Piastri didn't hold back:
“He needs to give that back. I was clearly ahead.”
Verstappen, for his part, argued that he was forced off:
“There was no intention from him to make the corner.”
The stewards saw it differently. A five-second penalty was handed down, altering the race’s complexion entirely.
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Safety Car and Strategy Shake-Ups
The chaos didn’t end there. Just one lap in, a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly brought out the safety car. Both retired, and the field compressed. The restart saw teams diverge on strategy—McLaren opted to keep Lando Norris out longer on hard tyres, while Ferrari and Mercedes pitted early to gain track position.
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Piastri, meanwhile, stuck with Verstappen after the penalty call, applying consistent pressure until Red Bull blinked.
“Let’s get out of traffic,” Verstappen’s engineer called.
He pitted to serve his five-second penalty, dropping behind Leclerc and Norris in the shuffle.
McLaren Mastery
What followed was a calm, confident display from Piastri. Managing tyres, pace, and the pressure from behind, he looked every bit the world champion in the making. Behind him, Leclerc was strong but lacked the raw pace to challenge.
Norris’s Comeback Drive
Lando Norris had arguably the most underrated drive of the day. Starting 10th on the grid after a crash in qualifying, the Briton executed a flawless long-run strategy. Staying out longer on hard tyres allowed him to leapfrog several midfield cars and emerge in podium contention after the final stops.
In the closing laps, Norris was closing rapidly on Leclerc for P3, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. With just one more lap, a podium could have been his.
“Give me one more lap—I had him,” Norris said over the radio, frustrated but optimistic.
Ultimately, he finished fourth, but his drive was a reminder of his growing racecraft and McLaren’s strategic edge.
Verstappen clawed his way back to P2 but couldn’t reel in Piastri.
“We gave it everything. That five seconds cost us,” he said afterward.
It was a rare moment where Max didn’t have the final say.
A New Championship Leader
With his third win of the season, Piastri now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 99 points. McLaren, too, sits atop the Constructors’ table, sending a clear message: this is no longer just a two-team battle. The Orange cars are here to stay.
Looking Ahead
Jeddah has always produced drama, but this year it might have shifted the championship narrative entirely. For McLaren, it was proof that they can outfight and outthink the very best. For Verstappen and Red Bull, it’s a reminder that titles aren’t won on Saturdays—they’re earned in the fine margins of Sundays.
Next stop: Miami. If this race was any indication, we’re in for a season-long slugfest.
🏁 Championship Standings Post-Race
Drivers' Championship
- Oscar Piastri – 99 points
- Lando Norris – 89 points
- Max Verstappen – 87 points
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