(Video) Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri spin out during heated Abu Dhabi GP start

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri collided heading into the Turn 1 of the Abu Dhabi GP as Piastri fell desperately below the pecking order.

(Video) Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri spin out during heated Abu Dhabi GP start

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri (via IMAGO, @Formula1/X, Screenshot)

The 2024 season has peaked in excitement and competition throughout the 24-race F1 calendar. Max Verstappen won the Drivers’ Championship for the fourth time in a row, with the constructors’ title still open. McLaren and Ferrari continue to remain the front-runners for the title. Amidst the battle for first, Verstappen collided with Oscar Piastri on lap 1 on the Abu Dhabi GP, taking a huge hit at McLaren’s running against the Italian constructor.

McLaren secured an impressive front-row lockout for the ultimate race of the 2024 season. Lando Norris maintained the lead off the start with Oscar Piastri looking to maintain his position. However, Max Verstappen tried a very risky move on Piastri to move up the pecking order. Amidst, the move, the Aussie collided with the Dutchman and spun out on track, losing all track positions.

YouTube video

The collision did not prove fatal to Verstappen, as he could rejoin the track after losing some positions. However, the incident will have a major effect on McLaren’s point total over the weekend against Ferrari. As a result, Piastri will have to work extremely hard to move up the pecking order to ensure Woking maintains the lead.

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Max Verstappen smacked with 10 second-penalty following his daring move

Max Verstappen’s move wasn’t exactly clean as Oscar Piastri faced major problems in his running. The Dutchman received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision on the track. Verstappen responded on the team radio showcasing his piece of mind. The 27-year-old claimed that he was super unlucky and pointed out that he was all the way up the inside before the collision.

I mean I was just super-unlucky. I was all the way up the inside before the crash.

Max Verstappen said on the team radio
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Piastri took a sly dig at Verstappen for the move as he lost all track position. The Australian driver sarcastically commented that this was a great move from the world champion.

Yep. Move of a world champion, that one.

Oscar Piastri said on the team radio

McLaren was utterly disappointed by Verstappen’s risky move against Piastri. The Aussie is still in P18 as he faces a torrid time to overtake on the grid. Ferrari has a great shot at propelling to the front and overtaking Woking in the standings. As a result, the end-of-the-season battle will put forth an extremely interesting situation amidst the top teams.

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