sport news McLaren make shock decision as F1 star Oscar Piastri upstages teammate Lando ... trends now
He might not be challenging for points yet thanks to a dud car, but boom Aussie F1 rookie Oscar Piastri showed exactly why he is rated so highly at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Monday morning.
After a brilliant qualifying run saw him start eighth on the grid, the 21-year-old McLaren star beat his more seasoned teammate Lando Norris, with the latter even ordered by team bosses not to fight or pass Piastri in the final stages.
But unfortunately for the Aussie, the dire state of things at McLaren meant he finished 15th after having to pit on the very first lap of the race due to damage to his front wing.
Pundits, former legends of the sport and fans then went into meltdown over the fact Piastri was faster than his teammate despite the team not electing to leave him on a set of hard tyres instead of giving him new rubber like his teammate.
Given his debut grand prix in Bahrain was ruined by engine failure, it's a grim outlook for such a talented driver - many racing fans were enamoured with his performance.
Oscar Piastri was all smiles at the Saudi Arabian GP despite finishing 15th. The Aussie prodigy pulled off some brilliant driving despite being given a dud of a car
Piastri (right) overtook Lando Norris (left) despite being made to run on old, hard-compound rubber while his teammate was given fresher tyres
Norris (left) and Piastri (right) are locked in a fierce battle to prove they're the fastest driver at struggling McLaren
Ex-champ Nico Rosberg said despite the car troubles, he was impressed with the Aussie's driving in Saudi Arabia.
'I have been very impressed this weekend with Oscar,' he said on the Sky Sports coverage of the race.
'It's the ultimate challenge for a rookie to come in and be up against Lando, especially when the car is so difficult and bad to drive. A really solid weekend.'
After his early pit stop, and Norris being forced to do the same just laps later, both McLaren drivers were soon at the back of the grid, but despite not being given fresh mediums, Piastri stayed on his tail.
He managed to pass Norris on lap 45, before his teammate returned the favour at the very next corner.
In an extraordinary show of faith in Piastri, McLaren officials then ordered Norris not to fight his teammate, and the Aussie passed his English counterpart with a few laps remaining.
You could sense the disappointment for Piastri, with ex-driver turned commentator Karun Chandhok saying the horror start was a big blow for the rookie, before expressing his shock at McLaren's call.
Oscar Piastri said he enjoyed the finish to the race despite finishing 15th: 'It was a bit of fun'
Lando Norris cut a downcast figure after yet another disappointing race in his McLaren
'Not at all what he (Piastri) wanted after that superb qualifying,' he said on the Sky Sports coverage.
'They have been on the team radio to Lando Norris saying don't make it too difficult for Oscar Piastri. That's an
