A few months in the past, each the Drivers’ and Groups’ Championships regarded like foregone conclusions. Oscar Piastri had simply gained the Dutch Grand Prix – and with McLaren group mate Lando Norris struggling a mechanical failure when working second, the Australian’s benefit over Norris ballooned to 34 factors. Max Verstappen, in the meantime, was a monstrous 104 adrift in P3…
However whereas McLaren transformed that benefit by wrapping up the defence of the Team’s Championship three races later in Singapore, a plot twist had been written in courtesy of Red Bull and Verstappen. With their rivals absolutely centered on growth for the new-for-2026 laws, Pink Bull opted to divert a bit more money to this yr’s automobile – and it was paying off.
Verstappen gained three races in 4 weekends and was forcing his approach into title rivalry whereas Piastri was going the opposite approach. Having been on the rostrum in 14 of the primary 16 races of 2025, Piastri is now on a run of 4 races outdoors the highest three and has misplaced his grip on the title lead for the primary time since Saudi Arabia.
