How 'sensational' Piastri moved into pole position

Australian is now favourite for the world championship after a breathtaking move on the Saudi track showcased his talent 7

- KIERAN JACKSON

It was the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s critical juncture. And no, it was not the controversial lap-one clash between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, officiated fairly and promptly by the stewards, who handed the Red Bull driver a five-second penalty. Of course, the punishment was a pivotal verdict. But it was not the pivotal moment.

In fact, the moment that won Oscar Piastri the race came 20 laps in. Pitting before leader Verstappen, Piastri had two laps to steamroll around the world’s quickest street circuit before the Dutchman pitted himself. But he had a problem: Lewis Hamilton.

The Ferrari driver was up ahead on the road and had the potential to hold up the McLaren driver. Normally, Piastri could simply have waited until the main straight – one of the longest straights on the calendar – to make the move with superior speed and DRS. But he didn’t have time. Instead, he caught the joint-greatest driver of all time completely off guard with an inspired pass.

Sure, Piastri was way faster than Hamilton. But approaching the scarily rapid turn 22 section, the fearless Australian swung his McLaren inches from the wall around the outside, threading his MCL39 through the eye of a needle and past the Ferrari. Martin Brundle blurted out “wow” on commentary, while David Croft labelled it “sensational”.

That freed him up to power on, and open up a lead to Verstappen, which the Dutchman, ultimately, could not pull back.