Piastri Secures Spanish GP Victory, Surprised by Verstappen's Strategy
Oscar Piastri claimed victory at the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position, leading a strong showing for McLaren at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Australian driver secured the win ahead of teammate Lando Norris, marking a successful weekend for the Woking-based squad that saw them lock out the front row in qualifying.
Despite the dominant starting position and expectations of a straightforward race given the track conditions, Piastri admitted that the race unfolded with an unexpected challenge from reigning champion Max Verstappen. Red Bull opted for a three-stop strategy for Verstappen, a move that initially put McLaren under pressure.
Piastri revealed he was surprised by Verstappen's strategic choice and how effective it proved to be in putting their plan under scrutiny. Verstappen's strong pace, particularly during his second stint, forced McLaren to instruct their drivers to increase their speed to cover the potential threat from the Dutchman.
While Piastri was able to build a comfortable margin and manage his race, Lando Norris faced a tougher initial phase, losing a position at the start before working his way back past Verstappen. Once Norris regained his track position ahead of the Red Bull, he focused on controlling the gap, even as Verstappen closed in following his later pit stops.
Reflecting on the 66-lap race, Piastri largely felt in control despite the strategic curveball and the typical challenges of navigating traffic and blue flags. He highlighted the team's ability to stick to their planned strategy, execute excellent pit stops, and manage the race effectively without getting distracted by Red Bull's alternative approach.
Piastri assessed the Spanish Grand Prix weekend as one of his strongest performances in Formula 1 to date. He praised the team's effort in analyzing areas for improvement from the previous week and making a significant turnaround to perform at the desired level in Barcelona. The victory and the team's overall execution left the Australian driver highly satisfied with the outcome of the weekend.