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Piastri’s Rise in the Championship and Verstappen’s Insights
Max Verstappen has expressed his appreciation for Oscar Piastri, the new front-runner in the F1 Drivers’ Championship, commending his composed racing style. Piastri, representing McLaren, currently leads the standings for the first time as the Miami Grand Prix approaches, after securing victories in the recent Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races.
Verstappen, who finished as the runner-up to Piastri in Jeddah, is trailing the Australian by 12 points in the early stages of the 2025 season, with his teammate Lando Norris also competing closely. “People often forget that last year was just his second year,” Verstappen noted about the 24-year-old driver who has clinched five wins in the last 17 races.
“Now in his third year, he is demonstrating solid performance. I admire his calmness, which is evident on the track,” Verstappen added. “He consistently delivers under pressure and minimizes mistakes—key attributes for anyone aiming for a championship.”
Drivers’ Championship: Top Five
| Driver | Points |
|---|---|
| 1) Oscar Piastri, McLaren | 99 |
| 2) Lando Norris, McLaren | 89 |
| 3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull | 87 |
| 4) George Russell, Mercedes | 73 |
| 5) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari | 47 |
Verstappen also credited Mark Webber, Piastri’s manager and a former Red Bull driver, for his influential role in Piastri’s growth. “Having Mark guiding him is highly beneficial,” Verstappen remarked. “Learning from experienced figures like him is vital; I had my father for guidance, and now Oscar has Mark. It’s fantastic to witness Oscar leveraging his natural talent.”
Will Verstappen Pose a Challenge to McLaren in Miami?
Despite McLaren’s impressive performance following pre-season testing in Bahrain, Verstappen has managed to maintain competitive standing with Piastri and Norris throughout the early races. However, Red Bull’s performance has varied significantly across different tracks, as seen in their recent results during the Japan-Bahrain-Saudi Arabia series.
Verstappen showcased remarkable skill by securing pole position at Suzuka, allowing him to lead the race and secure victory on a notoriously difficult overtaking circuit. Conversely, Red Bull faced challenges with tire degradation in Bahrain, which resulted in Verstappen finishing 34 seconds behind Piastri in sixth place.
He rebounded with a strong performance in Jeddah, yet encountered a setback with a five-second penalty for a first-corner incident involving Piastri, which ultimately placed him behind the Australian post-pit stop. “We need to enhance our overall performance and consistency,” Verstappen stated. “Our track performance is inconsistent, which is clear.”
“We struggled in Bahrain, but we performed much better in Saudi Arabia. However, it’s crucial to remember that different tracks yield different challenges. There’s room for improvement, though the performance in Jeddah was promising.”
Formula 1 gears up for an exciting Sprint weekend in Miami, with live coverage available on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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www.skysports.com