Oscar Piastri claimed his third victory of the 2025 season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, overtaking Max Verstappen in the standings. The McLaren driver benefited from a five-second penalty imposed on Verstappen after the Red Bull driver went off track at the first corner, unfairly keeping the lead from Piastri. This allowed the Australian to take the lead and hold on, crossing the line 2.8 seconds ahead.
Verstappen had initially led after a strong start, but his penalty reshuffled the race’s dynamics. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who started 10th, made an impressive recovery, finishing fourth after battling Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for the podium in the final laps.
With Piastri’s victory, he now sits 10 points clear of Norris in the drivers’ standings, with Verstappen just two points behind in third. Despite his frustrations with the penalty, Verstappen remained positive, focusing on the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
Leclerc’s third-place finish marked Ferrari’s first podium of the season, as he managed a strong stint on medium tyres. Norris, on the other hand, gained significant ground after a strategic pit stop, but was unable to challenge Leclerc for third.
The race, which began under the shadow of a safety car after an opening-lap incident between Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, saw few interruptions thereafter, allowing Piastri to dominate the latter half of the race.
With his continued consistency, Piastri’s impressive form has thrust him into championship contention, while the battle for the title intensifies.
