Oscar Piastri claimed his fifth Grand Prix victory in Jeddah, marking a milestone in his Formula 1 career. The Australian, in his third year in the premier class, has now matched his teammate Lando Norris and leads the drivers’ championship for the first time. Consequently, international media are focusing on Piastri’s race, dubbing him ‘the ice boy of McLaren’, and discussing what this victory means for the title fight.
Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has taken note of the seismic shift within the drivers’ championship. “Formula 1 has a new leader in the drivers’ championship: Oscar Piastri, the ice boy of McLaren,” the Italian publication begins. By this, they are drawing parallels between Piastri and the ‘ice man’ Kimi Räikkönen.
Piastri has surpassed his teammate Lando Norris by ten points. The race in Jeddah was essentially decided at the first corner, where Piastri and pole-sitter Max Verstappen immediately clashed. The Dutchman went off the track and, according to the stewards, unlawfully maintained the leading position. “A manoeuvre that is not new for Verstappen,” La Gazzetta comments.
The reporter also highlights the impressive performance of the ‘magical Charles Leclerc‘, who finished third in Jeddah, and the ‘less impressive’ Lewis Hamilton. “The seven-time world champion was the protagonist in a good battle with Norris that lasted two rounds, in which Hamilton responded like a true champion to the attacks of the British driver. In the end, he had to concede to the superiority of the McLaren.”
‘Young and Vulnerable’
French newspaper L’Équipe, like the Italians, primarily focuses on the victory of Piastri, the second consecutive win for the Australian. “The championship has a new leader. Young and vulnerable, as Oscar Piastri’s ten-point lead does not weigh heavily when there are still nineteen Grand Prix and five sprint races to go.” Yet, the French newspaper dares to designate Piastri as the ‘boss’ of the rest of the season. “A young boss, of course, but a damn solid one.”
‘Piastri is like a Goldfish’
In The Sydney Morning Herald, the home country of the new championship leader, the Australians immediately look ahead. “Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ championship, here’s why he can win it this year,” headlines the newspaper. “Piastri’s battle with Max Verstappen showed that the seemingly innocent assassin from Melbourne can take the biggest title in motorsport.”
The Australian had a disappointing start to the season when he ended up off the track during his home race in Melbourne. However, The Sydney Morning Herald sees how Piastri has long been able to leave that behind. “Piastri showed that he is a goldfish – in the world of Ted Lasso where Ted tells his players to move on after bad experiences, like the animal with a short memory – while Norris is an elephant. Norris’ confidence has decreased since Melbourne, while Piastri’s has grown.”
Strong Performance by Verstappen
In the United Kingdom, the home country of Lando Norris, the newspapers are primarily filled with the victory of his teammate. “Staying focused under pressure has always been one of the characteristics of the greatest Formula 1 drivers, and Oscar Piastri demonstrates that with a striking certainty for someone so young,” praises The Guardian. The British newspaper also took a moment to reflect on the race of the second-place finisher, Verstappen. “A strong performance by the driver and team,” according to The Guardian.
