Oscar Piastri frustration was front and centre at the 2025 Austrian GP, as the McLaren star found himself tangled with both Alpine cars during a crucial battle for victory at the Red Bull Ring. On a day where the championship leader hoped to extend his advantage, the ghosts of Piastri’s past came back to haunt him in dramatic fashion.
The closing laps of Sunday’s race were a test of composure for Oscar Piastri. Locked in a tense duel with Lando Norris for the win, the Australian was forced to fight not just his teammate but also the Alpine duo, who made life difficult when it mattered most.
As the final stint began, Piastri was run off track by Franco Colapinto at Turn 3 on Lap 55. Colapinto, fighting with Yuki Tsunoda, inadvertently squeezed the McLaren onto the grass just as Piastri tried to lap the pair. The incident cost Piastri precious time, and Colapinto received a five-second penalty for forcing another car off.
Only moments later, Piastri’s comeback took another blow. As he launched an attack down the main straight, he found his way blocked by Pierre Gasly’s Alpine into Turn 1. The double obstruction from Alpine left Piastri fuming over the radio, leading to a now-viral message: “Alpine still manages to find a way to f*ck me over all these years later.”
Old Wounds Reopened as Piastri Battles for the Win
The candid outburst caught the attention of fans and pundits alike, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between Piastri and his former team. The Australian’s departure from Alpine in 2022 was one of the most public contract disputes in recent F1 history.
At the time, Piastri publicly rejected Alpine’s announcement that he would drive for them, stating, “I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023.”
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Fast forward to 2025, and Piastri has flourished at McLaren, managed by fellow Australian Mark Webber. He currently leads the championship but saw his points margin over Norris shrink to 15 after the drama in Spielberg. Despite the setbacks, Piastri was quick to accept responsibility for his own aggressive moves.
Reflecting on his on-track scrap with Norris, Piastri said: “[It was] intense. I hope it was good watching, because it was pretty hard work from the car. I tried my absolute best, and probably could have done a better job when I just got ahead momentarily.
“It was a good battle. A bit on the edge at times and probably pushed the limits a bit far. But that’s what we’re here to do: try and race each other and try and fight for wins. And that’s what we did today. It was close for me, but not quite enough.”
Andrea Stella, team principal at McLaren, praised his driver for immediately owning his part in the close-call with Norris: “As soon as he crossed the finish line, he opened the radio and he said, ‘Sorry for the situation in corner four. My bad. I know what I have to do’. We have come out stronger and even more united.”
It was a day to forget for Alpine, who saw both Colapinto and Pierre Gasly finish outside the points while their rivals at Sauber celebrated a double points finish. For Piastri, the frustration of battling old adversaries remains fresh, but his drive and accountability continue to set him apart as a top contender for the 2025 crown.
