Quote:
Originally Posted by M5Rick
No way, PIA knew he was coming through whatever hence why he braked early or he knew there'd be contact a'la Charlie and ALB and hand the place back, RUS even said 'Piastri what are you doing' hoping that would happen with him barging through to the lead. In the end Merc fell apart anyway.
|
It looked as if Piastri refrained from fully engaging with Verstappen both during the race start and the Safety Car race restart. He seemed a bit hesitational. Even Russell complained after almost rear ending Piastri during the race start.
To some extent, Verstappen benefits from the internal competition between Piastri and Norris. Both McLaren dogs are fighting for the P1 pecking order and a likely first WDC title. But Verstappen could be the 2025 dark horse denying them that.
Neither Piastri nor Norris can afford a DNF in close combat with Verstappen, otherwise the team mate leaves the race with an 18 or 25 points benefit. Being 'risk adverse' when Verstappen is at arms' length, will numb them a little as the season moves on with the WDC title stakes raising. I trust that Piastri and Norris fear no-one on track, except for Verstappen.
Piastri does know that he angered Verstappen for getting a 5 second penalty during the Jeddah 'elbows out' race start. Whether Verstappen's strong view about that penalty is right or wrong is irrelevant - he felt screwed or crossed. Looks like Verstappen - in his own view - settled the 'bill' at Imola, either paid in full ...or an advance with still a part due by Piastri.
April 23, 2025:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis
During the 2025 Jeddah race, Verstappen aggressively protected his track position when Piastri with a faster McLaren aggressively approached and got alongside of him. Again, neither driver seemed to be prepared to yield. No favors either here. Verstappen ultimately took evasive action to avoid a crash, possible DNF and more penalty points putting him at risk of a 12-penalty points race ban.
Verstappen is known to be vindictive if he feels screwed or crossed (regardless what race stewards decide and what teams tell him) - he got the reputation to be quite firm about this and doesn't forget. Verstappen may consider that there is a bill to be settled with Piastri - some unfinished business. Therefore, I expect Verstappen to strike his vengeance upon Piastri in a future race whenever it rises to the occasion: a Verstappen-Piastri incident will happen. Just a matter of time - when it happens, you will remember this post. For example, if Verstappen's start grid position is ahead of Piastri during a future race start, expect Verstappen to aggressively steer 45° or more into Piastri's direction to force him to either brake or crash + Verstappen claiming that he "defended his start grid position". Piastri should anticipate this type of action prior to a race, to get around Verstappen, or ensure that he's outqualifying Verstappen during the qualies. And if during a race they both approach a corner alongside each other, Verstappen will not take evasive action this time around.
Trouble is ahead. "La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid".
|
