Oscar Piastri scored an important win in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, getting ahead of Max Verstappen at the start then regaining the lead when his rival was penalised for passing him off the track.
The McLaren driver had to be patient, waiting almost half the race for Verstappen to make his pit stop and serve his five-second penalty. Until then, McLaren advised Piastri he was the “effective” leader.The leaders’ mid-race pit stops provided the pivotal moments. Having seen how much time Lando Norris lost behind Lewis Hamilton, McLaren advised Piastri on how and where to pass the Ferrari – but he took matters into his own hands.
Red Bull, meanwhile, took heart from Piastri’s sluggish pit stop and allowed Verstappen to use their ‘overtaking’ engine mode as he tried to build up enough of a gap over Piastri to retain his lead after his pit stop. It proved to no avail, however, and the pole-winner had to settle for second place.
Piastri and Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix radio
Jump to:
“He was never going to make that corner”
“You’re the effective race leader”
“Both axles on the limit”
“One second, has DRS”
“Struggling quite a bit”
“Let’s do overtake into one”
“Click the overtake, we are boxing this lap”
“Hamilton is in this lap”
“I don’t really feel a lot of mechanical grip”
“Lando’s plan is to keep extending”
“Track position more important”
“Front tyre is not reacting”
“He needs to get out of the way”
“We’ve got a lot of fun to have this year”
“He was never going to make that corner”
The first messages from both drivers in the race concerned Verstappen’s corner-cut at the start.
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| Lap: 1/50 PIA: 2’04.986, VER: 2’03.217 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | He needs to give that back. I was ahead. | Verstappen | Turn three Yeah, he just forced me off. |
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| Stallard | Oscar, we saw the incident, turn one. | Verstappen | Exit turn 13 There was no intention [by] him to make that corner. |
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| Stallard | Safety Car, Safety Car. Delta positive. We’re staying out. Oscar the Safety Car – we’re staying out – the Safety Car was contact between Tsunoda and Gasly. Gasly is in the wall turn four to five. At turn four, the Safety Car will cut the run-off and you should follow the Safety Car. | Lambiase | Yeah, understood Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, so Gasly has stopped, turn five, Gasly’s stopped, turn five. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 2/50 PIA: 2’44.068, VER: 2’44.900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Copy. | Lambiase | So, Max, the Safety Car is on the exit of turn two. He is not going to use the tracks on the exit of four. He’s going to follow the run-off. Please follow the Safety Car. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Follow the Safety Car. Let’s have blue mode one, blue mode one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | He was never going to make that corner, regardless of whether I was there or not. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy Oscar. The issue’s gone to race control. They’re looking at it. It’s been noted, the incident has been noted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, a few cars took the Safety Car pit stop, do an Ocon, Bortoleto and, er, Tsunoda I think is probably out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 3/50 PIA: 2’55.203, VER: 2’55.554 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Confirmed Tsunoda has retired, Tsunoda retired. | Lambiase | Ok, Safety Car will stay on track, Max. Follow the Safety Car. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Safety Car will stay on track this time. | Lambiase | Display 8. Display 8. And the Safety Car is in this lap. Safety Car in this lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Callipers are getting warm The incident at turn one is now under investigation. Safety Car will be in this lap, Safety Car in this lap. | Lambiase | The Safety Car lights go out and it pulls away from Verstappen Safety Car exit turn 27. Safety Car in pit lane. |
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| Stallard | Suggest bal minus two, bal minus two. Oscar, strat six is good for the restart but you’ll need to use part-throttle overtake as normal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Safety Car is pulling away. Safety Car turn 25. Safety Car 26. Safety Car 27. Safety Car pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“You’re the effective race leader”
Tellingly, Verstappen never asked Red Bull whether his first corner move on Piastri looked legal or if he should consider relinquishing the lead. The stewards took little time to decide that Verstappen had gained an advantage by overtaking Piastri off the track and handed him a five-second time penalty.
| Lap: 4/50 PIA: 1’34.247, VER: 1’33.831 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | He accelerates out of the final corner as the race restarts Verstappen has a five-second penalty. |
Lambiase | Exit turn 18 Gap behind 1.1. Information, you have been given a five-second time penalty for the incident at turn one. Head down. |
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| Stallard | Oscar, Verstappen five-second penalty. That means you’re the effective race leader at the moment. We just want to build a gap to Russell. DRS enabled. | Verstappen | Oh, that is… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yeah, Max… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | …really lovely! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yep. Yep. No comment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Oh don’t worry, I don’t care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Mode nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 5/50 PIA: 1’33.418, VER: 1’33.716 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And gap 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Oscar on DRS, one second. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 6/50 PIA: 1’33.917, VER: 1’33.564 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | So juggest red mid four, red mid four. Strat seven, strat seven. | Lambiase | And 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 7/50 PIA: 1’33.523, VER: 1’33.511 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap was one second across the line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap is at 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Both axles on the limit”
Piastri was pushing to stay close to Verstappen in the dirty air generated by the Red Bull. McLaren warned him not to risk his tyres by getting too close.
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| Lap: 8/50 PIA: 1’33.893, VER: 1’33.891 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Yellow diff two, yellow diff two. Turn 27, take care braking both axles on the limit, front left locking. Tyres and pace update when you can. | Lambiase | Turn three We have a track limit strike turn two. |
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| Piastri | Tyres feel okay. Pace two or three. | Lambiase | Turn 12 That was for the incident at turn one, on lap one. |
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| Verstappen | I thought they wouldn’t count that, because like he said in the briefing.. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Roger, understood. I’ll get back to you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap is 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 9/50 PIA: 1’33.500, VER: 1’33.798 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Suggest red mid five, red mid five. | Lambiase | And 1.2 behind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap is at 1.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Ah, rear tyres are hot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood. Piastri DRS, 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 10/50 PIA: 1’34.045, VER: 1’33.813 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Rear is starting to struggle a bit. Closer than this is difficult. | Lambiase | Can I have a front flap update please, Max, for the next stint. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | As long as you can keep two-and-a-half seconds gap to Russell at the moment, we’re happy. | Verstappen | Yeah it’s okay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood, thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 11/50 PIA: 1’33.808, VER: 1’34.001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | The front wing looked okay, you happy with that? | Lambiase | 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Yep, happy. | Lambiase | 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | We are in both Safety Car windows, both Safety Cars windows, confirm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“One second, has DRS”
As Piastri tried to get within range of Verstappen, Red Bull ensured the race leader knew when his rival was within range to use DRS.
| Lap: 12/50 PIA: 1’33.770, VER: 1’33.960 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Confirm. | Lambiase | One second, has DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar now thinking plan A target lap, plan A. | Lambiase | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Has DRS, was at one second. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 13/50 PIA: 1’34.280, VER: 1’33.856 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | This lap looked better in high speed, more progressive with throttle. | Lambiase | And 0.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Does not have DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 14/50 PIA: 1’34.072, VER: 1’33.901 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.1, does not have DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap to Russell now approaching five seconds, Max, good job. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.3 behind Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 15/50 PIA: 1’34.149, VER: 1’33.900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Tyres starting to struggle. | Lambiase | Gap to Russell now 5.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Understood. Pace is still good. Gap to Russell is 4.3 now. | Verstappen | Push or not? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 27 slightly earlier braking, better exit. | Lambiase | As you are. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.6 behind, Max. Just keep your head down. At the moment, if we can extend the stint as much as possible, it’s only going to be a benefit, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 16/50 PIA: 1’34.124, VER: 1’33.758 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 13, careful sharp steering input, softer steering input turn 13. | Lambiase | Tyre temps past peak now and starting to drop. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Russell 5.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Engine 14, engine 14, position three, position three, let me know if there’s any issues with that at all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap behind is a 1.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Struggling quite a bit”
As the opening stint wore on, Piastri’s tyres faded and he began to drop back from Verstappen. McLaren called him into the pits to switch him to the hard tyres.
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| Lap: 17/50 PIA: 1’34.279, VER: 1’33.797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Struggling quite a bit. | Lambiase | Gaps 1.8 and 6.3. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy Oscar, other cars are struggling too, you’re still faster than Russell. | Lambiase | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Better job turn 13. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 18/50 PIA: 1’34.160, VER: 1’33.810 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Suggest orange torque eight, orange torque eight. | Lambiase | 2.3 and 7.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, we’re thinking plan B, target plus four. | Lambiase | And Max another front flap update please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I’m good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 19/50 PIA: 1’36.450, VER: 1’33.914 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Copy. | Verstappen | [Unclear] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | We’re box this lap. | Lambiase | Understood, Max. Still pulling away from the cars behind Max, there’s still traffic that we would pit into. Just keep going, this is a fantastic job. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Copy, box. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 27, reminder, down on plan for the pit stop. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Box, Oscar pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Let’s do overtake into one”
Piastri came out behind Lewis Hamilton, who was yet to pit. Stallard advised him that Hamilton had used the final DRS zone to re-pass Norris twice earlier in the race, and to plan his attack accordingly, recommending a pass into turn one. But Piastri had his own ideas, and impressively swept around the outside of the Ferrari at turn 21.
| Lap: 20/50 PIA: 1’50.606, VER: 1’34.038 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Launch map, launch map. | Lambiase | Okay, push Max, push. So Piastri has just come out behind Hamilton, and it’s close at the moment. His stop was around a second slower than it should have been. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | And let’s have strat six. | Verstappen | Am I boxing? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Car ahead is Hamilton. | Lambiase | No, stay out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Against Lando, Hamilton was letting him through into 27 and passing back into one. Let’s do overtake into one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Verstappen 34.0. Piastri overtakes Hamilton on the outside of turn 21. |
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“Click the overtake, we are boxing this lap”
Red Bull left Verstappen out for an extra lap after Piastri’s pit stop, hoping the McLaren’s slow tyre change plus any time lost behind Hamilton might help them jump Verstappen ahead. They told him to use his high-performance ‘overtake’ engine mode in a bid to save precious tenths of a second as he headed for the pits.
As he would serve his five-second time penalty as soon as he came to a stop, Lambiase told Verstappen to prioritise slowing his car as quickly as possible, as opposed to ensuring he was perfectly aligned in his pit box.
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| Lap: 21/50 PIA: 1’33.795, VER: 1’36.500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Tyres are not in a good shape. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood Max, keep pushing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Everything you have, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Click the overtake, just a click of the overtaking, we are boxing this lap, box and pit confirm. Strat 12 in pit lane and bring the car to a stop as quickly as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Focus on bringing the car to the stop as quickly as possible. Verstappen stops in his pit box, the crew wait for five seconds, then complete the tyre change. He pulls away |
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| Lap: 22/50 PIA: 1’34.024, VER: 1’55.832 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Verstappen is now behind Hamilton. He’s on his out lap, three seconds behind you. Suggest silver entry four. Silver entry four. Lando seven seconds ahead. He won’t make it too difficult when we get there. Turn 13, top left toggle, target is best pace to the end. | Lambiase | Strat 10. Russell 2.6 behind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Think about the long game Max. 29 laps. 29 laps. Reset your tools if you need to at this stage. B-bal and diff. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Info, Norris lap times 33.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Hamilton is in this lap”
Despite his and Red Bull’s best efforts, Verstappen came out behind Piastri – and Hamilton, whom he took slightly longer to pass, eventually getting by at the final corner.
| Lap: 23/50 PIA: 1’33.119, VER: 1’34.112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | So Lando on hard from the race start, last lap 33.6. | Lambiase | Hamilton is in this lap. Having followed Hamilton for much of the lap, Verstappen passes him at turn 27 |
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| Stallard | Suggest green shape one, green shape one. | Lambiase | Okay so Leclerc effective race leader, currently still on the medium, last lap 33.8, Norris 33.5. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 24/50 PIA: 1’32.760, VER: 1’33.419 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Hamilton’s pitted. Verstappen four seconds. | Lambiase | So Leclerc 33.6, Norris 33.3, Piastri 32.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Strat seven. Strat Seven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 25/50 PIA: 1’33.092, VER: 1’33.067 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Leclerc and Lando ahead are both behind your Safety Car window. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 26/50 PIA: 1’32.922, VER: 1’33.020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn two, suggest orange torque three, orange torque three. It won’t affect anywhere else. Remember to use the drinks if you haven’t. Drinks. | Lambiase | Display 10, position 1, when you can Max, not urgent, display 10 position 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Leclerc 33.3, Norris 33.4, Piastri 32.9. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 27/50 PIA: 1’32.875, VER: 1’32.936 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Strat six. Strat six. It’s a bit more a straight line performance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“I don’t really feel a lot of mechanical grip”
Whether it was because of his car’s set-up or the fact he was now in the turbulent air from Piastri’s car, Verstappen was less happy on the harder tyre compound in his second stint.
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| Lap: 28/50 PIA: 1’32.831, VER: 1’32.958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Tyre update when you come. | Verstappen | I don’t really feel a lot of mechanical grip on this tyre. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Yeah, I feel fine. Consistent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 29/50 PIA: 1’32.808, VER: 1’33.079 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, if you plan to take that much apex kerb in turn two, better in orange torque eight. Leclerc’s pitted. | Lambiase | Reduce management if you need to. Gap increasing behind by three tenths a lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | ACS button. 20 laps to go. | Lambiase | You can reduce lift-off as well, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 30/50 PIA: 1’32.938, VER: 1’32.811 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 31 laps in, Norris still going green, so this tyre’s good to the end, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Lando’s plan is to keep extending”
Norris started 10th on the hard tyres and moved ahead of Piastri and Verstappen when they pitted. As Piastri began to catch his team mate, he warned Stallard about the effect it had on his car’s handling.
| Lap: 32/50 PIA: 1’32.787, VER: 1’32.773 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar suggest torque eight, orange torque eight. That’s for the under rotation caused by the turn two apex curve. Lando’s plan is to keep extending, something like the plan C target plus four for him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Yep, I think I’m starting to feel the dirty air a little bit, so it’s not ideal for me at the moment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 33/50 PIA: 1’32.657, VER: 1’32.736 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Same pace as Piastri. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Engine 13, engine 13, position two. Any issues, let me know please. Any issues with drive-ability or lag et cetera then just let me know. It should be a bit more straight line performance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Norris is now in pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 34/50 PIA: 1’33.201, VER: 1’32.696 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Lando will pit in a couple of laps, don’t abuse the tyre to catch. Lando should be plan C, target lap… target plus one. Correction, Lando box this lap, Lando will box this lap, you stay out. | Lambiase | Can we have strat five, strat five. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Exit turn 27 Stay out. |
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| Stallard | In turn 22, manage front under-rotations to reduce steer angle on throttle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Track position more important”
McLaren asked Piastri whether he wanted a fresh set of tyres or not if the Safety Car was deployed. After a moment’s reflection he told them it was more important they retained their position ahead of Verstappen on the track.
| Lap: 35/50 PIA: 1’32.555, VER: 1’32.743 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, Safety Car [pit stop] now would cost position to Verstappen, how do you think this car with this tyre would restart? | Lambiase | Only potential downside to this is engine braking, turn 27. If it’s fine then it’s a bit more straight line performance again. It’s an easy switch back out of it. Is that all okay? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 36/50 PIA: 1’32.624, VER: 1’32.691 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | I think I’d be okay but new tyre is better | Verstappen | All okay so far. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | The track position more important. | Lambiase | Understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap to Lando 13 seconds with 15 laps remaining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | But there are still cars in between, no? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yes, currently still Russell behind you and Leclerc behind him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Engine 13, engine 13, position three, position three. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Front tyre is not reacting”
Verstappen remained unhappy with his lack of front-end grip behind Piastri.
| Lap: 37/50 PIA: 1’32.700, VER: 1’32.910 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And Max, front flap update please. Front flap update. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah two clicks more, I think. Front tyre is not reacting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood, thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I need to improve [unclear] turn 22. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Sorry Max, you’re not very clear at the moment. That was help in turn 22, I’m assuming you need front? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 38/50 PIA: 1’32.663, VER: 1’32.710 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | There’s like a red flashing flag on a balcony into turn 10, it’s really annoying, it looks identical to a red flag | Verstappen | Yeah, understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy, we’ll report. | Lambiase | Okay, have a look at the pull toggle, turn 22. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Car behind now Leclerc. Gap 7.3. B-bal seven, Max, B-ball seven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 39/50 PIA: 1’32.701, VER: 1’32.681 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Car ahead is Doohan, doing 33.6, he’ll get blue flags, but be aware of the extra following. | Lambiase | Okay, 10 laps remaining, Piastri 32.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 40/50 PIA: 1’32.778, VER: 1’32.560 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Doohan’s on a two-stop, only on a five-lap-old hard [unclear]. Reminder for the drinks, that’s 10 laps to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 41/50 PIA: 1’32.987, VER: 1’32.568 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Doohan has a blue flag. Consider strat six to get the blue flag from Stroll. | Lambiase | Leclerc 32.3, gap 6.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 42/50 PIA: 1’32.686, VER: 1’32.500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap to Piastri 4.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Engine seven, position 11. Engine seven, position 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“He needs to get out of the way”
In the final laps of the race the leaders passed the drivers at the rear of the field. Piastri lost some time behind Lance Stroll, who was racing Gabriel Bortoleto. As Piastri put the Aston Martin a lap down, Stroll stayed close enough behind Piastri to follow him past the Sauber.
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| Lap: 43/50 PIA: 1’32.871, VER: 1’33.182 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Seven or 11? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Engine seven, position one-one. Solid blues ahead. Strat eight. Strat eight. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, we feel b-bal seven was globally positive, if you need anything further it would be a click rearward on the offset, otherwise as you are. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 45/50 PIA: 1’32.393, VER: 1’32.466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | What’s up, man? He needs to get out of the way. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | You need to get 1.5, gap 1.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 46/50 PIA: 1’33.352, VER: 1’32.324 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | I’ve been within 1.5. Why isn’t there a blue flag? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Stroll gets his first blue flag at turn 19 Fucking finally, Jesus. Piastri laps Stroll approaching turn 27, then Bortoleto at turn one |
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| Lap: 47/50 PIA: 1’32.669, VER: 1’32.873 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Good pace. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 48/50 PIA: 1’32.728, VER: 1’32.697 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Okay mate, three laps to go. | Lambiase | Three more laps, Max, three more laps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | I see Stroll’s making lots of friends behind me. | Lambiase | Verstappen closes on Stroll That’s solid blues. Verstappen laps Stroll on the pit straight |
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| Stallard | So Max is still behind Stroll, he’s three and a half seconds behind you. Hulkenberg’s the guy ahead, he’s doing 34.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Very well done. Lovely job Oscar. Maximise pick-up, please, maximise pick up. ACS button and recharge on. Great work mate, really good. | Lambiase | Okay Max, so cross the line, recharge on and fail 84. Otherwise, yeah, what can I say mate, well-executed race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Woo-hoo-hoo! Yeah, well done everyone. It was a little bit more difficult to start than I had hoped for, but yeah, very, very well done. The car was great. Dirty air, not so much, but I’m glad the dirty air is from lapping people, so well done everybody. Massive three weeks, and let’s keep it going. We’ve got a lot of fun to have this year. | Verstappen | Yeah we did everything right, so well done guys. I tried to give it everything I had. It is what it is. We move on this week and there’s been a lot of positive for us so well done. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Great job. So pick up where you can. Finishing order was yourself, Verstappen, Leclerc, Lando, Russell Antonelli, Hamilton, Sainz, Albon and Hadjar. | Horner | Yeah well done Max, that was a good pace throughout the race. You finished 2.8 seconds behind Piastri. Obviously in that first corner we’ve all got our opinions on and you know good points today so, but most importantly very good pace. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | So Oscar, you’re staying out and going to the grid. Board will be by position 13, one-three, on the grid. | Verstappen | Yeah, exactly that. Well done, everyone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Yep, copy. | Lambiase | Plenty of pick-up on the way in, please, Max. Pick up on way in. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | You get that? Engine off, wait five, and then switch fully off. So engine off, wait five seconds and switch car fully off. Great job mate, good weekend. Let’s keep trucking. | Lambiase | Stay on track, Max, stay on track. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team radio transcripts
- ‘That’s not how I race’: Was Sainz right to feel aggrieved by Albon after Miami GP?
- Leclerc also criticised Ferrari over “stupid” strategy on radio
- “If he passes now that’s illegal”: Unheard radio from Verstappen vs the McLarens
- “Are the others struggling?” How Hamilton fell half a minute behind Leclerc in Jeddah
- ‘You’re the effective leader’: Full radio from Piastri and Verstappen’s Jeddah tussle
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
- Red Bull made tactical decision not to avoid a penalty in Jeddah, Horner confirms
- Norris’s starts were far poorer than Verstappen’s but the balance is shifting
- McLaren’s rivals “just one upgrade away from being the lead car” – Brown
- Russell told race control what he thought of Verstappen’s first lap corner cut
- Doohan’s final corner pass on Bortoleto was F1’s closest fight for last place in seven years
osnola
22nd April 2025, 12:23
Verstappen was held up for two laps by Stroll. I missed that part in the story.
Probably because verstappen did not talked about it bu it cost him at least about a second.
Jojo
22nd April 2025, 16:44
Makes me think Verstappen believed Piastri had gone all four wheels over the white line too – in which case the new rules would have been on Verstappen’s side and he would have been right to keep he position. However Piastri had made the corner, only just, but still within track limits. Red Bull probably should have informed Verstappen.
If he had given the place back he probably would have finished second anyway but at least he might have stayed with piastri, and we would have had a fight for the lead.
Doh
22nd April 2025, 23:33
Sounds more like a Freudian slip.
Jojo
23rd April 2025, 0:36
I don’t think it was a Freudian slip. The rules were changed last year, so that the driver on the inside also has to make the corner for it to be classed as ‘their corner’. Max couldn’t know that Piastri had stayed on track, only that he had braked quite late too. In the case that Piastri also went off track, Verstappen would have kept the place without penalty, even though he had also taken the corner too fast to make it stick. Unfortunately for him, Piastri judged it just right.
The pitwall have all the info and I think they should have let him know that Piastri had made the corner, but it seems they already made up their mind to take the penalty instead. I think it would have been a better opportunity, if they had given the place back as they may have been able to overcut / undercut or maybe even get past on track. Probably the result would be the same but it would have been more fun to watch.
Doh
22nd April 2025, 21:42
I think the point is what max did was intentional. And was not correctly punished.
With max and the redbull team, their word has no value, it’s not hard to consider them clowns. They get off leniently, complain about it, act like they did no wrong and act like they were wronged by the other driver.
Same as usual and also same as 2021, including at the same track.
Fyi max went quicker into turn one lap 1 than he did in his pole lap. With full tank of fuel, medium tyres colder brakes and away from the apex. He was never going to make the corner and he knew it. Yet he still complained about. Clown. And tried to say oscar had no intention of making the corner when in fact he did. Sounds like a Freudian slip from max there
I even tried to give benefit of the doubt when people tried to excuse it saying he could have made he corner lol.
From Jolyon Palmers analysis on YouTube:
“Max is actually even quicker on turn one, lap one, with a hundred kilos of fuel, no apex, and medium tires than he was on his qualifying lap the day before on soft tires, when he was about to get pole.”
They, max his team and the FIA are and have been ruining racing. No one wants to watch a mess of ‘ohh let’s see who can attack or defend by going off the track” or yeah let’s have a ‘who can roll off the brakes the best contest and pretend we tried to make the corner contest’
Imagine if in football players feined or exaggerated a nudge, took the ball out if bounds and the referee then let play continue? Football fans would not stand for that and it’s would be extremely frustrating to watch especially match after match. There would be massive protest.
Well that’s what has been happening in F1 for a few seasons now and somehow no one can stand up for basic rules.
It is too much to want to just see actual racing rather than this nonsense and all the complaint that comes with it?
And a further necessary question… Should max and redbulls word be valued at all?
It’s one thing to expect bits of hypocrisy from high level competition but to this extent, and this level of extreme?
I’ve yet to say anyone rightly compare the Silverstone 2021 show with Max’s move on Norris in Mexico and it was a much worse move. At a corner with much less run off and at least Lewis was inside going into the corner. Max was clearly behind.
Massive hypocrisy and to an extreme level, especially when you consider the fallout from max and Horner, having a go at character and celebrations, and clear retaliation in Monza.
But Its only okay when they do it. I’ll happily buy them a few pairs of red shoes for Miami if they were to oblige :)
osnola
23rd April 2025, 13:15
Piastri was at the apex earlier in the first corner. He was behind max on the second corner. Its a corner combination but they treated it as one corner. Dubious.
Chris (@austin-healey)
23rd April 2025, 0:13
Thanks Keith
Very insightful.
Telling that Pitwall failed to clarify to Max that Oscar did actually, legally, make turn 1.
So Max thought they BOTH went off, and only he was penalized!!