Has Verstappen met his match with Piastri? Key storylines to follow following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri romped to victory to top the drivers’ standings and become the first Australian to do so since his manager, Mark Webber, in 2013. As F1 arrives at Miami this weekend, before embarking on the first European leg of the season, with the grid closer than ever, here are a few key storylines to keep an eye on in the coming rounds.
Piastri’s rise challenges Verstappen’s crown
Max Verstappen has been seemingly invincible for the last few years – especially in his record-breaking 19-win season in 2023. However in 2025, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, in only his third season, has been scrapping with Verstappen and emerging victorious.
Despite a clear car disadvantage, Verstappen has hustled his Red Bull to the front of the grid: exemplified by his stunning pole lap in Saudi Arabia to demote Piastri to second. Piastri got the better launch at the start, however, and audaciously went side-by-side with his rival into the first corner before Verstappen cut the chicane. The FIA deemed Piastri ahead at the corner apex and served Verstappen a five-second penalty for leaving the track – releasing Piastri to control the race after an undercut pit stop strategy.
Piastri’s cool-headed persona and composed race craft stands in binary to Verstappen’s aggressive style and ‘say-it-how-it-is’ attitude which has established him as a fierce competitor in the sport. Since teammate Lando Norris’ struggles has foregrounded Piastri’s rise, it seems as though the four-time champion has finally met his match, and it will be exciting to see more thrilling meetings of the pair on track.
FIA’s potentially obstructive incoming clampdown on technical regulations
The anatomy of F1 cars is constructed of many layers of carbon fibre which are designed to flex depending on load – aiming to maintain speed through corners. Without this flexibility, cars would simply fracture upon corner entry. The extent to which carbon fibre plates can flex is regulated by the FIA and the new trend in ‘flexi-wings’ have come under controversy.
Issues were first flagged when onboard cameras revealed the ends of the DRS flap of the McLarens, in high-speed circuits like Baku, last year appeared to have a larger slot gap to the rest of the rear wing than legalised and actioned like a mini-DRS to reduce drag and increase straight-line speed. Despite the FIA deeming alleged offender McLaren rear wing legal, a clampdown for these components is inbound for the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of May.
McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine and Haas are the teams signposted to be affected by this enforcement in Barcelona, which may have minor or major effects on their competitive abilities for the rest of the season.
Reds and a papaya struggle whereas the blues triumph
The competitiveness of the 2025 F1 grid means the smallest margines have the largest impact. When cars, like Ferrari, or drivers, like Lando Norris, underperform, it has major repercussions which elevates the midfield into contention for big rewards.
Ferrari drastically changed their car concept from 2024 – a gamble that has currently not paid dividends. Charles Leclerc achieved the 16-time champions’ best result of the season with only a podium in Saudi Arabia in contrast to Lewis Hamilton who has struggled to align himself with the car – resulting in downbeat self-critical comments. The Scuderia will look to improve their fortunes especially for a home race at Imola soon.
Fellow Briton Lando Norris has also been self-critical after a series of underperformance and mistakes caused potentially by the pressure he has placed on himself. A substandard qualifying in Bahrain, crash in qualifying in Jeddah and failure to recover to the podium lost him the championship lead.
This has fuelled numerous candid comments criticising himself in contrast to teammate Piastri’s applause as he levels Norris on career wins. Norris took his maiden win at Miami last year – a track that provides an ideal opportunity to bounce back from a difficult triple header.
The misfortunes of the top teams have benefitted no-one more than Williams who marginally sit at the front of the midfield. Alex Albon, in his fourth year with the British outfit, has performed remarkably in the opening rounds; his new Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz also beginning to score in blue. With a super tight midfield, Williams will look to build on their convincing form, schemed by team boss James Vowles, in the coming races.
2025 rookies facing mixed fortunes
The six full-season rookies have faired well at different points in the opening five rounds – some better than others.
Mercedes’ rookie superstar Kimi Antonelli has impressed the most as he currently sits sixth in the standings, splitting the two Ferrari drivers and contributing to Mercedes’ current second-place in the Constructors’. The 18-year-old established his talents after storming through the field to fourth from sixteenth in mixed-weather conditions at the opener in Australia.
RB’s Isack Hadjar has competed competently at the front of the midfield – beating fellow full-season rookie Liam Lawson since his dismal relegation from the main Red Bull team. Hadjar fought notably against the two Williams for points in Saudi Arabia, ultimately finishing marginally behind whilst showcasing his abilities.
Haas was keen to sign Ollie Bearman after his dazzling debut in Saudi Arabia last year but has struggled in the opening rounds with Haas’ underperforming package. Bearman did bag four points after the series of disqualifications in China for Haas’ best result so far as they bid to reclaim their midfield top-spot position.
Lawson is accompanied by Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto as the three rookies yet to score in 2025. Doohan entered 2025 under immense pressure from Alpine bosses after late-season 2024 super showing Franco Colapinto was signed as reserve driver and rumoured to replace the Australian soon into the year. 2024 F2 champion Bortoleto has suffered from Sauber’s inadequate car, resulting in multiple low-finishing positions.
Miami provides an opportunity for the rookies further establish themselves in the sport and, for some, to move themselves off the mark.
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