Piastri believes blistering start ‘won us the race’ as McLaren man overcomes penalty-hit Verstappen to take Jeddah victory

Oscar Piastri believes his blistering start in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is “what won us the race” as Max Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

The McLaren driver started second for the 50-lap race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit but was able to draw level with polesitter Verstappen on the run towards Turn 1.

READ MORE: Piastri clinches victory in Saudi Arabia from Verstappen and Leclerc as McLaren driver becomes new championship leader

With the inside line of the left-hand bend, Piastri remained on the circuit as Verstappen cut the second corner to move back in front prior to an opening lap Safety Car, which meant there was never an opportunity to cede the position.

It meant the reigning World Champion was slapped with a five-second penalty, which once served during his sole pit stop, dropped him behind Piastri as he went on to finish second to the Australian by 2.8s.

Speaking after his third Grand Prix win of the season, which has propelled him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship, Piastri said that he was intent on taking the lead at the start.

“Once I got on the inside, I wasn’t coming out of Turn 1 in second,” said Piastri.

“I tried my best, obviously the stewards had to get involved but I thought I was plenty far enough up and in the end that’s what got me the race. So yeah, very happy with all the work we’ve been doing with the starts and that’s what won us the race today.”

RACE START: Verstappen retains Saudi Arabian GP lead from Piastri but is hit with penalty while Gasly and Tsunoda crash

Despite having strong pace during the second stint on the hard tyre, Piastri began to gradually drop back from Verstappen in the opening stint on the medium rubber as dirty air through the high-speed turns began to take its toll on his tyres.

“It was really tricky to follow out there, I couldn’t really stay with Max at the end of the first stint, just chewed up my tyres and then the clean air was nice after the pitstops,” said Piastri.

“Great race, we did the parts we needed to right, still need a bit more I think, Max was a little bit too close for our liking but a great race and a great weekend.”

Despite being held in evening conditions, tyres suffered in the heat as did the drivers with Piastri relying on his drinks bottle this race having been without the device during his previous victory in Bahrain after it broke.

Along with the high-speed nature of the street circuit, Piastri claimed it one was of the hardest races in his career to date.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow the action as Piastri wins the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

“That was one of our biggest upgrades this week, the drinks bottle was working," added Piastri.

“That was good, got some fluids onboard which was nice, but it’s always a tough race around here. It’s a little bit later in the year this year as well which I think is a little bit warmer, a little bit more humid and definitely one of the toughest races I’ve had in my career so glad I could come out on top in it.”