Verstappen Baffled by Piastri's Sudden Slump: 'Very Bizarre'

Max Verstappen admits Oscar Piastri's sudden slump in form this season is “very bizarre,” a turn of events that has unexpectedly helped Verstappen remain in the championship fight alongside McLaren’s drivers. What seemed like an unchallenged path to the world title for Piastri after last summer’s Dutch Grand Prix has dramatically reversed, with Lando Norris securing back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil to take the lead in the Drivers’ standings.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen, a strong contender, now finds himself 49 points adrift but still in the title hunt, thanks in part to Piastri's unexpected dip. This shift not only complicates McLaren's internal championship dynamics but also opens a window for other drivers, highlighting the unpredictable nature of an F1 season and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat.

The details:

• Piastri's Decline: Verstappen expressed genuine surprise at Piastri's rapid decline from a championship frontrunner to McLaren's second driver. He described the change as “very bizarre” and admitted he had “no explanation for that.”
• Verstappen's Perspective: The Red Bull star believes that while he's gained ground due to circumstances and McLaren's mistakes, the recent races in Mexico City and Brazil served as a reminder of momentum's fragility.
  • He noted, “At some point, you come back to reality and know that it won’t go like that everywhere.”
  • Despite the gap, Verstappen emphasized the positive aspect of Red Bull's recent consistency, achieving podium finishes in the last few races.
• Team Dynamics and Criticism: Verstappen implicitly disagreed with his father, Jos Verstappen, who suggested Piastri or manager Mark Webber should have been more assertive during the rough patch. Max stated, “That’s not how I operate,” indicating a difference in team interaction philosophy.
• Penalty Incident: Piastri's woes were compounded by a penalty in Brazil for a collision with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc. While Carlos Sainz called the sanction “unacceptable,” McLaren chose not to protest.
  • Verstappen commented on Red Bull's approach: “If you have a problem with that, then you need to contact the stewards or the FIA and maybe you can talk about it for the future.”

What's next:

Verstappen acknowledges that winning a fifth consecutive championship will require a combination of fortune, consistency, and perhaps some chaos. Regardless of the outcome, he remains philosophical, stating he won’t “cry about it” if he doesn't clinch the title, emphasizing his ability to put things into perspective. This mindset suggests a continued focus on performance, regardless of external pressures, as the championship battle intensifies in the remaining races. The curious twist in Piastri’s form has certainly made the hunt more interesting, promising a thrilling conclusion to the season.