Oscar Piastri secures his third win of the season at the Saudi Arabian GP, capitalising on Verstappen’s penalty to take the championship lead

 Oscar Piastri took full advantage of a penalty handed to Max Verstappen, securing his third victory of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and overtaking the Dutchman for the lead in the Formula 1 World Championship. The McLaren driver’s win came just a week after his triumph in the Australian Grand Prix, marking a sensational run for the Australian rookie.

Verstappen had initially managed to retain the lead after a close battle with Piastri heading into the first corner, but his decision to cut the chicane while holding off the McLaren driver resulted in a five-second penalty from the stewards. Despite his efforts to retain the lead, Verstappen was forced to serve the penalty during his pit stop, which handed Piastri the race lead and ultimately the victory.

The Australian, who had made a stellar start to the race, was already alongside Verstappen heading into the first corner and was not going to yield. “Once I got on the inside I wasn’t coming out of Turn One in second,” Piastri said after the race. “I tried my best and obviously the stewards had to get involved, but I thought I was far enough and in the end that’s what got me the race.”

After Verstappen served his penalty, Piastri quickly built a 4.8-second lead, a margin he managed to maintain until the chequered flag. Despite being held up briefly by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin, which was running slower than expected, Piastri was able to pull away again and cross the line 2.8 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who finished second.

McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who had endured a difficult qualifying session and started 10th, drove a remarkable race to finish in fifth place. The Briton employed an off-set tyre strategy, staying out longer than most of his competitors before making his pit stop. Norris, who was involved in a fierce battle with Mercedes’ George Russell for the final podium spot, ultimately finished just behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who claimed third after a brilliant drive.

Leclerc had executed a smart strategy, staying out on his medium tyres for 29 laps—nine longer than Russell and 10 more than Piastri. This strategy allowed him to rejoin the race in fourth, just 3.5 seconds behind Russell, and he quickly passed him to claim Ferrari’s first podium finish of the season.

Norris’s recovery from 10th was aided by McLaren’s strategy, which allowed him to briefly lead the race as others pitted. He eventually caught and passed Russell but was unable to close the gap to Leclerc in time. In hindsight, Norris reflected on the time lost battling with Lewis Hamilton early on, when he had to repeatedly pass and be repassed by the Mercedes driver before making the decisive move.

The race was not without its drama, as the opening lap saw a collision between Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, which brought out the safety car. However, after the restart, there were no further interruptions, and the race settled into a rhythm. Piastri’s composed drive ensured he took the victory, while Verstappen’s second-place finish kept him in touch with the championship leader.

Piastri’s victory not only marks his third win in five races this season but also moves him 10 points clear of his teammate Norris in the championship standings, with Verstappen just two points further behind. As the season progresses, the battle between the McLaren duo and Verstappen looks set to intensify, with Piastri now firmly in control of the title race.