Following Lando Norris’ Blue Flag Hope, Oscar Piastri Reveals Backing Out of a Headline-Making Move Against Max Verstappen

Going by the gap he built with the 2nd-placed Fernando Alonso, one would think that Max Verstappen had a perfect race. To be honest, he was definitely the most dominant driver on the grid. However, that does not mean he did not have some slippery moments himself (pun intended). There was a time when Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had the chance to unlap themselves by overtaking Verstappen. However, both backed out of it. Piastri’s reason is equal parts funny and tactical.

McLaren is currently going through a tough season. Getting into the Q3 on Saturdays and in point-scoring positions on Sundays has become a rarity for its drivers. While the team only scored 3 points yesterday in Monaco, what was heartening to see was that both drivers scored points.

Oscar Piastri reveals why he did not to overtake Max Verstappen

Before the rain, Verstappen took full advantage of the conditions to build a massive lead. He even lapped more than half the grid. That’s the kind of dominance he put on display. However, once the track became wet and slippery, the Dutchman got a lot slower and had some nervous moments. While that was happening, Oscar had the opportunity overtake him but did not do it.

During the post-race show, Oscar said, “To be honest, I was actually quite happy that I had Max right in front of me because I thought if there’s anyone that’s got some experience with this, he’s leading the race, probably going to be a good reference. So, I was trying to go a little bit quicker than him but not a lot quicker than him.”

To this, one of the co-hosts responded, “But you were quicker than him. At that point when you were 4-5 seconds behind him and you caught him up and I was actually quite interested whether you are going to overtake him or alternatively, he was going to say, ‘on you go’.”

Piastri replied, “Yeah, at that point, slicks in the rain, I didn’t really fancy becoming a headline of taking out the race leader in Monaco, to be honest.”

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Lando had a chance to unlap himself as well. He too held his horses, but his reason was totally different from his McLaren rookie teammate.

Lando Norris reveals why he did not overtake Verstappen

Norris started the race in P10 and despite all the difficulties with the rain and the complicacies of the circuit, brought the car home unscathed. He finished a place above where he started from while Oscar Piastri finished right behind him. Ending up in the point scoring position may have been his only priority given the situation the team is in but getting lapped would have hurt him. Despite that, he did not overtake Max when given the chance.

Speaking with Sky Sports post-race, he said, “I wanted Max to get blue flags, probably the first time in his life he would have had blue flags. So I was really hoping to pass him because he would have hated it and I would have loved it. Would have been funny!”

“But he was leading the Monaco Grand Prix, so I didn’t want to intrude too much.”

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In the end, it all worked out for team McLaren. We move to Barcelona now where the track is a lot more forgiving than the one in Monaco. Do you think the McLaren duo will let go of the opportunity to overtake the race leader there?