Verstappen Warns Piastri After Miami GP Duel, Says… Read more
Max Verstappen had a tense on-track exchange with Oscar Piastri during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix and later suggested the McLaren driver should have anticipated a fierce response following their previous clash at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The race began with Verstappen getting a clean launch and defending his lead from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who dropped to sixth early on. However, the pace of the McLarens quickly became evident, with Piastri emerging as Verstappen’s main threat.
As the race unfolded, Verstappen struggled with grip, describing the track as “super slippery” over team radio. By Lap 14, Piastri made a move around the outside into Turn 1. Verstappen braked late and ran wide, allowing the Australian to claim the lead cleanly.
This moment echoed their encounter in Saudi Arabia, where a first-lap battle saw Verstappen forcefully rejoin the track after going wide while battling Piastri. That incident earned the Dutchman a five-second penalty, which proved costly, as he finished second behind Piastri.
Speaking after the Miami race to Viaplay, Verstappen hinted that his aggressive defense in Miami was a deliberate response to their earlier encounter. “After Saudi Arabia, I think he could expect that, of course,” Verstappen said, making clear that tensions from the previous race had not been forgotten.
Despite his efforts, Verstappen admitted he had little chance of holding the lead against the pace of the McLarens, particularly Piastri. “It just wasn’t good enough. 0.0 chance,” he stated bluntly, acknowledging his Red Bull couldn’t match McLaren’s speed in Miami.
Verstappen appeared to be on track for a podium finish until the Virtual Safety Car was deployed due to Oliver Bearman’s stopped Haas. The timing allowed George Russell to make a quick pit stop for Mercedes, emerging ahead of Verstappen and pushing him down to fourth place by the end of the race.
Reflecting on the situation, Verstappen remained calm about missing out on the podium, saying, “That a Virtual Safety Car then follows, can happen. It doesn’t matter all that much whether you finish third or fourth.”
However, Verstappen closed with a clear message regarding his intentions moving forward. “That’s not what I’m here for,” he said, hinting that settling for fourth isn’t acceptable and underscoring his determination to return to winning form.
The comments from the reigning World Champion suggest that his rivalry with Piastri could intensify as the season continues, with Verstappen and Red Bull now facing serious pressure from a surging McLaren team.
