From rival to fan: Verstappen applauds Piastri’s brilliance

Max Verstappen isn’t one to heap praise lightly, but after being outpaced by Oscar Piastri in Jeddah last weekend, the Dutchman offered his rival a few big accolades.

The McLaren driver’s third win of the season in Saudi Arabia vaulted him to the top of the drivers’ championship, ten points ahead his teammate Lando Norris, with Verstappen now 12 points adrift.

While defeated in Jeddah, with the help of a controversial five-second penalty following a clash with Piastri in the first corner after the start, Verstappen was quick to highlight the traits that make the 24-year-old Australian a standout talent.

For Verstappen, Piastri’s performance wasn’t just a defeat—it was a showcase of the qualities that signal a future champion.

“People forget a little bit – last year was his second year,” said the Red Bull driver. “Now he’s in his third year, and he’s very solid.

“He’s very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track. He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes – and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.”

The four-time world champion’s comments underscore how highly he rates his talented rival.

Calm under pressure, mistake-free performances, and clinical execution are qualities Verstappen himself has embodied en route to his own success, and he sees similar hallmarks in Piastri.

A Mentor’s Impact

Verstappen also tipped his hat to Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber, likening the latter’s guidance to the mentorship he received from his father, Jos.

“I think with Mark by his side, he’s helping him a lot. It’s great,” he said. “People learn from their own careers – that’s what I had with my dad, and Mark is advising Oscar.

“At the end of the day, Oscar is using his talent, and that’s great to see.”

Verstappen sees Webber’s F1 experience as a key factor in sharpening Piastri’s raw skill, blending talent with strategic common sense.

For his part, Piastri remains measured about his recent surge and current lead in the championship standings, choosing instead to emphasize consistency and collective effort.

“I still want to go out and try and win every race I can,” said Piastri.

“I'm not that bothered by the fact that I'm leading the championship, but I'm proud of the work and the reasons behind why we're leading the championship.

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“Melbourne wasn't a great start to the year in terms of results. But from the moment I've hit the track this season, I felt like I've been in a good place.

“Leading the championship is a result of all the hard work we've done in the off-season, the hard work I've done personally, the hard work the team's done.

“I'm more proud of all of those things than I am of the fact that I'm leading the championship because, ultimately, I want to be leading it after round 24, not round five.”

With the title race heating up, Verstappen’s words are more than a compliment — they’re a recognition that Piastri isn’t just fast, he’s formidable. And perhaps, in Verstappen’s eyes, the most complete challenger he’s faced in years.

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