Why even the ruthless Max Verstappen respects Oscar Piastri after his Saudi Arabia win

The first Australian in 15 years to lead the world drivers’ championship, Oscar Piastri is not getting carried away. But title rival Max Verstappen says the rising star has got it in him to go all the way.

Once the hunter, now the hunted, Oscar Piastri is just starting out on the biggest race of his life.

The first Australian in 15 years to lead the world drivers’ championship after his latest stunning victory in Saudi Arabia – his third from the first five races in 2025 – Piastri has quickly been elevated as the favourite to win this season’s title.

A rare talent who has already won the Formula Two and Formula Three titles before getting his first start in Formula One in 2023, Piastri certainly looks to have the right pedigree and temperament to win the greatest prize in motorsport.

But he’s not getting carried away with anything at the moment, knowing there’s still a long road ahead with 19 more races still to come this year.

Oscar Piastri sits atop the driver championship rankings. Picture: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP

“I’m not that bothered by the fact that I’m leading the championship, but I’m proud of the work and the reasons behind why we’re leading the championship,” he said.

“Melbourne wasn’t a great start to the year in terms of results. But from the moment I’ve hit the track this season, I felt like I’ve been in a good place.

“Leading the championship is a result of all the hard work we’ve done in the off-season, the hard work I’ve done personally, the hard work the team’s done.

“I’m more proud of all of those things than I am of the fact that I’m leading the championship because, ultimately, I want to be leading it after round 24, not round five.”

The first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix remains the permanent reminder for Piastri of just how quickly things can change for the worse in the cutthroat world of F1.

Cruising along in second place and seemingly on track to become the first Australian to finish on the podium at Albert Park, Piastri’s dreams came unstuck in a flash when he got caught in a torrential downpour and spun off the circuit.

After reversing off the grass and getting back on the road, he rejoined the race and finished ninth. He lost at least 16 championship points but gained a more valuable lesson in why nothing can ever be taken for granted.

Piastri has been virtually flawless since then, winning in China, Bahrain and now Saudi Arabia, as well placing third in Japan after a tiny error in qualifying saw him start from third on the grid on a Suzuka circuit where overtaking was virtually impossible.

His fifth career victory in Jeddah was hard earned and came after a stroke of luck tinged with controversy, with pole sitter Max Verstappen given a five-second penalty for cutting the first corner when Piastri made a faster getaway from second spot on the grid.

“It wasn’t the easiest of wins. I think the start was tough, the first stint was tough behind Max. And then once I had some clean air, it was a bit easier to manage,” Piastri said.

“But I still couldn’t afford to take my foot off the gas. It was a difficult race, and Max was quick behind me, so I had to keep pushing. I could control it reasonably well, but it was a little bit tighter than I would have liked.”

Verstappen was fuming about the penalty but bit his lip to avoid being slapped with a hefty fine.

“The problem is that I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalised also, so it’s better not to speak about it,” the Dutchman said.

“It has to do with social media in general, and how the world is. I prefer not to talk a lot because sometimes your words can be twisted or people interpret it in a different way.

“You can’t share your opinion because it’s not appreciated apparently, or people can’t handle the full truth.”

Verstappen was more forthcoming when asked about Piastri.

While known for his uncompromising approach to his rivals when he’s in the cockpit, Verstappen clearly has a lot of respect for the no-fuss 24-year-old from Melbourne, who is looming as the biggest threat to his four-year reign as world champion.

Max Verstappen sees plenty to like in Oscar Piastri. Picture: Darko Bandic/AP Photo

Gracious in his comments about Piastri, Verstappen even likened the Australia’s knockabout manager Mark Webber, who finished third in the 2010 championship after leading with three rounds to go, to his own father Jos, who drove in F1 from 1994 to 2003.

“I’ve said it before. People forget a little bit – last year was his second year. Now he’s in his third year, and he’s very solid. He’s very calm in his approach, and I like that,” Verstappen said.

“It shows on track. He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes – and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.

“And I think with Mark by his side, he’s helping him a lot. It’s great. People learn from their own careers – that’s what I had with my dad, and Mark is advising Oscar. At the end of the day, Oscar is using his talent, and that’s great to see.”