Max Verstappen gives bold verdict on Oscar Piastri after Saudi Arabian GP battle

Max Verstappen applauded Oscar Piastri after the Australian driver clinched victory at the Saudi Arabian GP.

Max Verstappen gives bold verdict on Oscar Piastri after Saudi Arabian GP battle

Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)

Oscar Piastri was not in contention for the F1 world title in 2024 despite his teammate Lando Norris’ bid against Max Verstappen. However, the Austrian driver has managed to turn things around this year with a string of impressive results. Piastri even emerged victorious at the Saudi Arabian GP last weekend. Now, Verstappen has acknowledged that the McLaren star is a feisty contender on-track.

Piastri has managed to match Lando Norris ever since he made his F1 debut in 2023. The Australian driver has impressed the entire paddock with his performances and now taken things a step further this year. Oscar Piastri has won three of the five rounds so far this season and now leads the championship for the first time in his F1 career.

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During the Saudi Arabian GP, Piastri managed to inherit the lead from Verstappen courtesy of a time penalty on the Dutchman. From that point, the 24-year-old did not look back. The McLaren star controlled the entire race and did not give a single chance to the reigning world champion. Max Verstappen acknowledged the strengths of the Australian driver. The Red Bull claimed that he has always pointed out that the Aussie has managed to perform at such a level so early on in his career.

The 27-year-old insisted that people often forget that 2025 is only the third season for the McLaren driver, making his results even more impressive. Moreover, the reigning world champion praised the calm demeanor of the 24-year-old. Verstappen claimed that he liked how Piastri’s calm approach was visible even on-track during races.

I think I’ve said it before. People forget a little bit – last year was his second year. Now he’s in his third year, and he’s very solid. He’s very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track.

Max Verstappen said, as reported by GPBlog

Oscar Piastri has what it takes to fight for F1 title

Oscar Piastri might not have been the lead McLaren last season, but the 24-year-old always had his sights on the world title. The 2025 season seems to the year where the Australian driver has got everything in his favor, particularly the quick McLaren car.

Oscar Piastri (via Alamy)
Oscar Piastri (via Alamy)

Max Verstappen continued to speak highly of Piastri. He pointed out that the McLaren driver has always delivered whenever required and barely ever made mistakes. So much so, that the reigning world champion asserted these qualities to be what one really needs to win the F1 world championship.

He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes – and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.

Max Verstappen added

Additionally, Verstappen pointed out that Oscar Piastri was in the right hands with his manager, former Red Bull driver, Mark Webber. The Dutchman insisted that the 24-year-old was learning a lot from the veteran. Max Verstappen even compared this relationship to the way he learnt from his father, Jos Verstappen.

I think with Mark by his side, he’s helping him a lot. It’s great. People learn from their own careers – that’s what I had with my dad, and Mark is advising Oscar. At the end of the day, Oscar is using his talent, and that’s great to see.

Max Verstappen stated

Certainly, Max Verstappen can see that Oscar Piastri does have serious potential to succeed in Formula 1. The Dutch driver will undoubtedly go wheel-to-wheel with the 24-year-old on multiple occasions this year in what is building up to be an exciting fight for the 2025 title. However, it remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming races and whether Piastri is able to dominate this season of Formula 1.