Verstappen Clinches Third Title, But Piastri Steals the Show with Debut Victory
Oct.8 - On the day Max Verstappen wrapped up his third consecutive drivers' title, a new Formula 1 race winner was crowned - Oscar Piastri.
"I feel like Max has stolen Oscar's limelight a little bit, but both deserve it today," said Lando Norris, Australian 22-year-old rookie Piastri's teammate at the resurgent McLaren team.
The highly-rated Briton Norris, a year older than Piastri but with several years more experience, also had his limelight stolen in Qatar.
When asked what went wrong for him this weekend with a series of minor mistakes, Norris said after Piastri's pole and victory on Saturday sprint day: "Nothing. Just a lack of talent."
While Piastri has managed to win a race in his very first F1 season, Norris took over an unwanted F1 record at Suzuka recently - the most world championship points in history without a victory.
When asked if his turn to stand on the top step is now looming, Norris answered: "I hope so.
"I mean, I've been trying a long time, but Oscar's done a mega job this weekend. I've made a lot of mistakes and he hasn't and he's capitalised and he's done a better job, so just hats-off to him."
As for him, Norris added: "I guess everyone has weekends like this. It's just a shame I'm doing it when the car's as quick as it is."
Well-known Dutch commentator Olav Mol said it's poignant that Piastri was the driver on the top step of the podium just as Verstappen put the mathematical lid on arguably the most dominant performance for any champion in F1 history.
"He is the best rookie in Formula 1 since Verstappen," he told Ziggo Sport. "He belongs in that same category.
"He's fortunate to have joined McLaren after their troubles of the last few years is over. Now his talent can blossom."
But according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, Piastri, Norris and McLaren should all be happy.
"McLaren is in a very comfortable position for the future because they have two excellent and young drivers," he told Sky Deutschland.
"Norris still seems better over long runs with his experience, so it will take some more time for Piastri. But he is someone who has the potential to compete for titles in the future. I'm very sure of that," the German added.
"But in the future, the Norris-Piastri duo will definitely be one of the strongest in the field. Norris is already at the highest level while Piastri certainly needs another year or two," Schumacher said.
"As a rookie, he is already at an incredible level and one has to assume that his teammate can also be a future world champion."
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'Twas great to see Oscar shine at Qatar, both in qualifying and in the sprint race. Oscar was one of only a few who observed the track limits, which was Lando's nemesis.
I agree with Ralf, they are two champions in the making. I wonder who will achieve WDC first!
Sooo, you think a star is born in Mr Pastry, couldn't agree more a young man with a very cool & wise head on his shoulders & the bit I like is the rookie beat the G. O. A. T.
Great performance by the McLaren drivers - way to go!
I'm not a fan of these stupid Sprint races - and to have MadMax clinch his third WDC in the Sprint race was a bit of a fizzle. Give me the 2021 drama any day - last corner pass on the last lap? Oh yeah, that's the kind of competition that I yearn for!
I'm glad to see someone other than The Dame winning. I'm hoping that former WCC winners like McLaren and Williams as well as Aston Martin can turn up the heat and make the broth a little richer, and the races less of a snore-fest.
Piastri is going to be better than Norris, Leclerc, Russell.
But as we know in F1 it depends on being in the right car at the right time.
A potential future WDC for sure.