Piatri conquers with victory in Jeddah WM leadership-Diepresse.com
The Australian Osar Piatri wins in Saudi Arabia ahead of world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Ferraris Charles Leclerc.
For Ferrari it was the first podium of the season. Piatris teammate Lando Norris drove from the tenth place to take four, followed by the Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
On the route, Piatri was unable to overtake the Verstappen launched from the pole position, but would have done this at the beginning of the race if Verstappen had not abbreviated to the front, which remained in front. However, the Dutchman acted a time penalty that was ultimately decisive for the race. For Piatri, it was the fifth victory in his Formula 1 career and the third this season.
Ultra-short interface interview
« I am looking for a couch, » said Piatri in his first statement. « It was probably the hardest race I’ve ever driven. » The 24-year-old also addressed the incident in the first round. « As soon as I was on the inside, it was clear that I wouldn’t get out of the first curve second. In the end it was what the race gave me. » Verstappen, probably in protest against punishment, was demonstratively short. « I would like to thank the fans. I love the route here, it is what it is and we’ll see each other in Miami, » he only said and immediately left the interview position.
Leclerc gave himself a little more information. « In qualifying, we didn’t manage to get more out of the car. But I am very satisfied with the race, we got everything out. I would never have expected to reach third place. I thought that this race was about defending yourself behind the cars like Kimi, » said Monegasse. « We have to push further, and hopefully upgrades will soon come. »
Safety car phase after the start
Already in the first round, after a crash by Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine), the Safety Car had to move out. Because Viatri had previously gained an advantage over Piatri by leaving the route, he got a five-second penalty. Piatri was the first to have his first stop carried out, followed Verstappen later and came back on the track behind the Australian. At the time, Leclerc led the race to Norris, who had started ten from starting position.
After all the pit stops were done, Piatri was in the lead in front of Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc and Norris. Leclerc overtook Russell in the 38th round and sat in third place. A little later Russell also had to let the faster norris pass. Lewis Hamilton took a seat in the second Ferrari, behind it the two Williams from Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon landed. The last of the top ten was Racing Bulls newcomer Isack Hadjar.
Piatri is the first Australian to lead the World Cup since its current manager Mark Webber did today in 2010. In the World Cup classification, Piatri is now ten points ahead of Norris, another two points behind it is Verstappen.
