Piastri wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen second
Piastri’s third win this year was in large part decided at the first turn
Jeddah: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday from Red Bull polesitter Max Verstappen to lead the world championship for the first time in his career.
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari completed the podium for this fifth round of the season under the floodlights at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Piastri’s third win this year was in large part decided at the first turn, when Verstappen picked up a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage after going off the track.
He becomes the first Australian to lead the drivers’ standings since his agent, Mark Webber, 15 years ago.
“Very happy to have won, made the difference at the start. Great race.
“Max was still a bit too close for my liking!” Piastri said, after crossing the line 2.843 seconds clear of the four-time world champion.
His McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who went into the weekend leading the standings, took fourth ahead of the two Mercedes of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
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