Custom Racing Suit
Get Started for FREE
Oscar Piastri admitted that Max Verstappen’s strategy during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix caught him by surprise. Piastri clinched his fifth win in nine races on Sunday at the Circuit de Catalunya, but Verstappen’s approach made the final stages tense.
The Red Bull driver switched to a three-stop plan after his team found it difficult to match the McLaren pace midway through the race. This change allowed Verstappen to push harder on fresh tyres, putting additional pressure on the leading McLaren drivers as the laps ticked down.
The intensity of the contest shifted again when a late safety car was deployed. The field took the opportunity to switch to new tyres, but Verstappen’s only remaining set was the hard compound.
From that point, his race began to unravel. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell, which dropped him to 10th in the final order.
Piastri managed to stay ahead during the restart and extended his lead in the championship standings.
Reflecting on the race, Piastri expressed pride in the team’s effort throughout the weekend. He noted that their pace was strong, and they responded well after a rough first practice session.
Piastri described the restart as challenging, mentioning he experienced wheel spin even in sixth gear, but managed to hold his position, finishing just ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
Looking at the championship table after Spain, Piastri leads with 186 points. Norris remains close behind with 176, while Verstappen sits third with 137.
George Russell and Charles Leclerc round out the top five with 111 and 94 points, respectively. The results from Spain solidified McLaren’s position atop the team standings with a combined 362 points for Norris and Piastri.
Fans and teams now turn their attention to the upcoming race in Canada. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will host the next round on June 15.
As the season progresses, drivers and teams will continue to adapt their strategies in response to the evolving competitive landscape.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.