Oscar Piastri Wins in Jeddah Chaos and Leads the Championship

Oscar Piastri wins in Jeddah and is the new leader of the Driver's Championship! The fast track in Saudi Arabia provided an action-filled start, two retirements, and intense overtaking battles.

Verstappen, starting from pole after a phenomenal lap in qualifying yesterday, was challenged by Piastri at the first corner, with Verstappen leaving the track and gaining an advantage, and the FIA handing him a five-second penalty. Alongside the front row action, the safety car was deployed as Tsunoda and Gasley collided, leaving both in the wall, causing retirements. 

Further along the race, the narrow and fast streets provided outstanding overtaking battles, including a thrilling battle for sixth place between Hamilton and Norris. Norris briefly overtook Hamilton at the final corner, but Hamilton fought back on the DRS straight multiple times before Norris changed his strategy and made the move stick. 

On lap 22, Verstappen pitted and served his penalty after leading the race since the race start, passing on the lead to Leclerc, who had not pitted yet. Despite starting 10th after a qualifying crash, Norris climbed up to second place. Soon, leading the race on a 34-lap stint on the hard tires, McLaren questioned whether they wanted to help Norris or Piastri. Yet decided to help Piastri, having Norris do his mandatory pit stop, Piastri inherited the lead and held on through the final laps. 

Near the end, Leclerc managed to overtake Russell for third place, and Norris overtook Russell for 4th place, while Norris tried to chase down Leclerc till the end. 

Oscar Piastri has jumped into the lead of the Driver’s Championship, dropping Norris into second, only 10 points behind. The triple race header has now been completed, and the next stop is Norris’s maiden win track, Miami! Will he climb back to the top?