Oscar Piastri has taken over the World Cup leadership in Saudi Arabia. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Press comments on Piastri's victory: "The ice boy from McLaren"

He held his own. Just as Max Verstappen usually does. Oscar Piastri sent a clear message with his victory in Saudi Arabia and his takeover of the lead in the Formula 1 World Championship.

21 April 2025

From: dpa

This is what the international press writes about it.

Australia

Canberra Times: "A brilliant opening maneuver by Oscar Piastri has earned him victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the lead in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. It's the first time in 15 years that an Australian has led the Drivers' Championship, after his manager, Mark Webber, took the lead in 2010."

Great Britain

The Guardian: "Staying focused and poised under pressure has always been one of the hallmarks of the best Formula 1 drivers, and Oscar Piastri demonstrates this with astonishing poise for such a young driver. His victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, beating world champion Max Verstappen, was a testament to the 24-year-old's calm and confidence, and his potential to win the title in just his third season."

Mirror: "The race stewards played a key role in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following an incident between the two at the front on the opening lap. Max Verstappen had started from pole position, but it was Oscar Piastri who took the win after the Red Bull driver was penalized for a first-corner battle."

Daily Mail: "Max Verstappen kept a low profile—well, a few brief remarks—as he exited his Red Bull. But if you could read his thoughts, the speech bubble next to his head would be filled with anger. It referred to the first corner, the decisive moment in which Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Verstappen finished second."

Telegraph: “Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with a controlled, flawless drive, overtaking his McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the top of the drivers’ standings.”

Daily Express: “Oscar Piastri kept his nerve and won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, taking the lead in the World Championship.”

Switzerland

Look: "Formula 1 has a new World Championship leader! Oscar Piastri snatches pole position from Max Verstappen, wins, and overtakes teammate Lando Norris in the World Championship standings. During qualifying on Saturday, Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers, Norris and Piastri, engaged in a fierce duel – until Norris crashed his car. So, on Sunday, it was just Piastri and Verstappen at the start – and how! The McLaren got off to a much better start, but then the two got in each other's way. (...) The Australian didn't need to be asked twice, neatly drove home the lead and jumped straight to first place in the World Championship standings."

France

The team: "Anyone who wanted to see the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix couldn't be late. Because everything, or almost everything, was decided on the first lap and at the start. Oscar Piastri handled this moment of the race better than Max Verstappen."

The Parisian: “The Australian drove a perfect race.”

Italy

The Republic: “The McLaren Australian dominates with a perfect race.”

The Sports Gazette: "Formula 1 has a new leader in the Drivers' World Championship. Oscar Piastri, the ice-boy of McLaren, overtakes his teammate Lando Norris with his victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and takes first place in the World Championship standings."

Greenhouse Courier: "The key moment at the start: Piastri attacks immediately, but Verstappen gets in his way by pushing him to the outside. He stays in the lead by cutting the corner: he is penalized 5 seconds, a penalty he takes badly. He had said it would be difficult to keep up with the Australian, so he took a chance. But things didn't go well for him, and perhaps he found an opponent similar to him: in terms of focus and ferocity."

Spain

World sports: “Piastri marks his territory ahead of Verstappen in Saudi Arabia and is the new leader in the Formula 1 World Championship.”

Sports: "Piastri is shining in Saudi Arabia and is the new World Championship leader. Oscar Piastri is the leader McLaren needs. While his teammate Lando Norris keeps making mistakes, forcing him to make impossible comebacks in the race, the Australian is always there to take advantage."

Ace: "From the 'papaya rules' and the soft touch of McLaren has emerged an ice-cold and ruthless driver who can stand up to Verstappen and give him a taste of his own medicine."