It was the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s critical juncture. And no, it was not the controversial lap-one clash between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, officiated fairly and promptly by the stewards, who handed the Red Bull driver a five-second penalty. Of course, the punishment was a pivotal verdict. But it was not the pivotal moment.
In fact, the moment that won Oscar Piastri the race came 20 laps in. Pitting before leader Verstappen, Piastri had two laps to steamroll around the world’s quickest street circuit before the Dutchman pitted himself. But he had a problem: Lewis Hamilton.
