McLaren Reacts Calmly to Oscar Piastri’s Bold Overtake…Read More
Oscar Piastri delivered one of the standout moments of the Formula 1 season during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, with a daring overtake on seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton helping him on his way to a well-earned victory. Despite the intensity of the moment, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella remained composed throughout the dramatic sequence, expressing full confidence in his young driver’s abilities.
Piastri, who had made an early pit stop, was required to fight his way back through the field. One of the biggest obstacles in his path was Lewis Hamilton, who had already made life difficult for Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris. As Hamilton proved to be a tough competitor to pass, even the engineers on Norris’ side of the garage got involved, offering suggestions on how Piastri might be able to find a way around the experienced Mercedes driver.
Eventually, Piastri executed a daring maneuver that left fans and commentators stunned. The Australian launched an ambitious overtake into Turn 23, a rarely used part of the Jeddah circuit for passing due to its dirty and dusty surface. The move was praised for its audacity and precision, especially given the difficulty of overtaking at that section of the track.
While many watching held their breath during the move, Stella explained that he felt entirely calm, likening the situation to a previous race in Azerbaijan. “For me, it was a race like Baku,” Stella told the media, referring to Piastri’s victory over Charles Leclerc at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “In Baku, it was very tense, if you remember, with Leclerc. But somehow I was so calm, because it’s one of those races in which you know Oscar is in control and knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Stella’s reaction highlighted the trust he and the team have developed in Piastri, who has quickly risen as a key contender in the drivers’ championship. “He was very confident. He was very in control of the situation,” Stella continued. The Italian team boss said that he experienced no moment of panic during the overtake, attributing his composure to the belief that Piastri fully understood the risks and timing involved.
Piastri’s performance not only secured a crucial victory but also underlined his growing maturity and ability to handle high-pressure scenarios. As the championship leader, his display in Jeddah has further established his credentials as a top-tier driver, and his team’s composed reaction reflects the growing confidence in his potential to challenge for the title in 2025.
