Oscar Piastri Attacks Max Verstappen on Radio After Notorious Move Nearly Botched McLaren’s Constructors Hunt

One year ago, if F1 fans were told it would not be two Red Bulls on the hunt for a Constructors title in 2024, they would think you’re joking. By the time the Abu Dhabi GP rolled around, it became reality, as McLaren and Ferrari waged a battle to win the title. Each time was driven by a title drought that continued for years. However, they didn’t know Max Verstappen’s late move nearly ruined things for McLaren, and Oscar Piastri was not having it at all.

Immediately after Max Verstappen spun him out, Oscar Piastri sent a heated message about the Flying Dutchman on his radio.

Max Verstappen makes an incredibly odd move in Turn 1

Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen gave the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a dramatic start. Verstappen was able to recover, but Piastri’s day unraveled completely, leaving the Australian visibly frustrated and McLaren scrambling for answers. Having entered Abu Dhabi weekend on the cusp of their most competitive season in years, the timing of the accident couldn’t have been worse. Every point mattered with Ferrari as their main rival. 

After starting fourth because of Nico Hülkenberg’s penalty, Verstappen was determined to make an impression. As they approached Turn 1, Red Bull’s driver surged ahead, targeting third-place Piastri. Verstappen tried to capitalize on a fleeting gap on the inside line but failed. He clipped Piastri on the corner exit, spinning both cars and sending them tumbling down the order. Frustrated after the clash with Verstappen, Piastri didn’t hold back on the radio. “Move of a world champion, that one,” he remarked sarcastically, criticizing Verstappen’s aggressive lunge. 

The brash move from Verstappen was a surprise for most fans in the paddock. With Red Bull out of contention for the Constructors title, most expected Verstappen to try to steer clear of the accidental outcome of the title race. Moreover, what’s even more surprising is the way the Dutchman entered the corner. According to regulations, for a driver to claim the apex on the inside, the car going for the overtake must at least have its front axle ahead of the other car’s mirror. As seen in the video, Verstappen’s axel doesn’t appear close.

Max Verstappen got a 10-second penalty for causing the collision. McLaren CEO Zak Brown later supported the decision stating, “The penalty is appropriate. He wasn’t fully alongside. Now we focus on recovery.” Despite the recovery driver, all Piastri managed was a tenth-place finish which granted him a single point. Adding insult to injury, Piastri crashed into Franco Colapinto later in the race, further jeopardizing McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship chances. This penalty compounded what was already a nightmare outing for the young Aussie. Verstappen got back into the top ten, while Piastri dropped to the back. 

Max Verstappen‘s move drew fire from Piastri and Formula 1 pundits, who questioned the necessity of such a risky move. Martin Brundle chimed in the discussion, “He’s already won his championship. There’s no need to take such a gamble. It wasn’t fair on Piastri, especially with McLaren fighting for something so crucial.”However, the four-time world champ defended his actions, calling the collision “super unlucky.” Unfortunately, Ferrari took advantage of the chaos. While fighting tooth and nail for their Constructors’ ambitions, McLaren was left with the fallout of an unnecessary incident.

Despite this, Lando Norris and Co. managed to overcome adversity and claim the Constructors title.

The controversy over Verstappen’s aggressive first lap

Thankfully, for Piastri and McLaren, the incident didn’t hamper their chances of winning the elusive Constructors title after a 26-year drought, with the team last winning it with Mika Hakkinen. Heading into the race, there was only a difference of 21 points between Ferrari and McLaren. Fortunately for the Papaya team, Lando Norris brought his A-game to Abu Dhabi. He led the race from the start in a dominant show. This is important because Norris’ win rewarded him with 25 points, stretching the gap to 47 points, adding Oscar Piastri’s contribution.

For Ferrari to win the title, they needed the maximum points from the weekend. During a normal race weekend (without the sprint races), a team can score a maximum of 44 points. This is from the drivers finishing 1 and 2, bagging 25 and 18 points respectively, and the additional point for the fastest lap. With Leclerc starting from the back of the grid, the chances of this happening were already slim, but Norris made it definitive with his drive.

After the race, he said, “It feels incredible, not for myself but for the whole team. The team have done an amazing job this year to come from where we were at the beginning. I’m so proud of everyone—it’s been a lovely journey, and to end the season like this is perfect, so just a congrats and big thank you to everyone in McLaren. Everyone in papaya, everyone who supported us this year because it’s been a tough one. For us to win a Constructors after 26 years is pretty special.”

While he missed out on the Drivers championship, 2024 was proof-of-concept. The McLaren team can fight for wins and titles. If they manage to keep the current momentum going for 2024, they might give Max Verstappen a run for his money and let one of their young drivers claim a championship.