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Piastri reclaims his spot at the top of the Drivers’ Standings, pushing down teammate Norris to second place yet again, while Verstappen continues to lurk at third place.
Oscar Piastri at the Spanish GP (AFP)
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri staked his claim at the F1 World Championship yet again, ousting his rival and team-mate Lando Norris and defending champion Max Verstappen with an impressive win at an eventful Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Aussie driver executed on a perfectly planned run at Spain today, to once again shoot his way up to the top of the drivers’ standings, diminishing the narrow three-point lead Norris held over him after Monaco.
The 24-year-old Australian came home 2.4 seconds clear of Norris for his fifth win this year to extend his lead over his teammate in the drivers’ championship to 10 points with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing third after a dramatic finale.
It was yet another 1-2 for McLaren, who have proven to be the superior team so far this season, building on their seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.
For Red Bull Racing’s Verstappen, though, it proved to be a confusing and eventful evening, following a mix-up of tyres — forcing the Dutch driver to race on hards — after the safety car was called in Lap 56, following Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli crashing out of the race.
The mix-up of tyres allowed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to get the better of Verstappen, upon restart after the safety car, as the disadvantaged Dutchman helplessly watched his hopes for a podium finish diminish.
To add more insult to injury, an incident with George Russell at the penultimate lap lead to Verstappen being edged out by the British driver, and in him acquiring a 10-second penalty.
Verstappen made an error on lap 60, sliding as he exited the final corner allowing Leclerc to pass before a clash with Russell saw him take the escape road.
Red Bull told Verstappen to give the position back to Russell, but the Dutchman collided with him again to incur his penalty before Piastri cruised clear to take his seventh career victory ahead of Norris.
Nico Hulkenberg, who started 15th on the grid, was a surprise fifth for Sauber ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar, and Pierre Gasly of Alpine.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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