- Won first silverware in sprint race in China
- Comes after wet and wild conditions in Melbourne
- Piastri lost control in that race and slid to ninth place
Oscar Piastri has claimed his first podium of the Formula One season, storming to second place in the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint after a thrilling battle with reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The 23-year-old Australian delivered a standout performance in Shanghai, making a bold late move to pass Verstappen and finish behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who secured his first win for the Scuderia.
It was a strong comeback for Piastri after a disappointing result in Melbourne just a week ago.
Piastri started third on the grid and showed composure well beyond his years as he stayed within striking distance of the front runners.
With just a few laps remaining in the 19-lap, 100km sprint, he made his move at the hairpin, sweeping past Verstappen to snatch second.
‘I think it was a productive sprint, finishing second was great, I really learnt a lot,’ Piastri said post-race.
Oscar Piastri was far improved under clear skies in the sprint race in China, claiming second place
The Aussie advanced to a podium finish after a daring overtake of defending champion Max Verstappen
‘The way I got the result is an encouraging thing. We didn’t have enough pace for Lewis at the front but we have a good enough idea for later.’
After the heartbreak of Melbourne, where a sudden downpour on the wrong tyres saw him slip from a podium spot to ninth, the result in Shanghai is a major confidence boost for the McLaren driver.
Under clear skies, Piastri had no trouble keeping pace with the leaders and looked comfortable in his car from the start.
‘I think we have good pace in the car,’ he said.
‘We’ve got competition this weekend. The Ferraris look pretty rapid. We’ve got to be on our best form.’
Piastri’s result earned him seven valuable championship points and lifted him into equal sixth in the standings – an important turnaround after a tough start to the season.
The race itself was full of action. Hamilton led from the outset after claiming pole with a lap record on Friday. Verstappen slotted into second with Piastri close behind. As the trio pulled away from the rest of the field, tyre wear became a crucial factor.
Verstappen soon found himself under pressure, struggling with front-end grip. ‘Both of my front tyres are dead,’ he told his Red Bull team over the radio.
Lewis Hamilton claimed victory for Ferrari with Piastri second and Verstappen in third place
Piastri, sensing his opportunity, lined up the overtake on lap 16 and made it stick with a clean, clinical move.
Though he couldn’t chase down Hamilton for the win, Piastri’s pace and racecraft made a strong statement.
Verstappen held on for third, with George Russell finishing fourth after an early move on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Norris, who won in Melbourne, ran wide at Turn 6 on the opening lap and slipped down the order. He was unable to recover fully, leaving McLaren to focus on Piastri’s strong result.
Further back, Australia’s Jack Doohan endured a difficult race for Alpine. After running towards the back of the pack, he collided with Gabriel Bortoleto on the final lap and finished last.