Piastri Takes Jab at Hamilton and Ferrari After Singapore GP Incident

Oscar Piastri, the current F1 2025 championship leader, made a pointed remark directed at Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari during FP1 at the Singapore Grand Prix. The incident occurred when a slow-moving Hamilton impeded Piastri's hot lap, sparking frustration and a cheeky team radio comment from the McLaren driver.

Why it matters:

• Incidents like these, even in practice sessions, highlight the intense competitive spirit and occasional tensions between drivers in Formula 1.
• Piastri's comment, though lighthearted, reflects a common frustration among drivers regarding track etiquette during practice, especially when on flying laps.
• For fans, such moments add a layer of human drama and personality to the technical sport, fueling rivalries and discussions.

The details:

• During the closing stages of FP1, Piastri encountered a slow-moving Hamilton on the approach to Turn 1, forcing him to abandon a soft-tyre lap.
• Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, was on the outside of Turn 1 and checked his mirrors before moving off-circuit, kicking up dust.
• Following the abandoned lap, Piastri quipped over team radio: “Ferrari will invent mirrors one day, I hope.” This jab suggested Hamilton should have been more aware of his surroundings.
• Adding to the track frustrations, Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto also expressed annoyance at Piastri shortly after, saying, “What the fk is he doing?”** as he followed him through the middle sector.

Between the lines:

• Former F1 world champion Jenson Button, Hamilton's ex-teammate, offered a nuanced perspective on the incident.
• Button acknowledged that Hamilton did not follow the standard procedure of pulling to the inside of the track after completing a quick lap.
• However, Button also argued that Piastri “still had a clear run” into Turn 1 despite Hamilton's proximity to the racing line, suggesting the obstruction might not have been as severe as Piastri perceived.
• This indicates a difference in interpretation of track etiquette and awareness, even among seasoned professionals.

The big picture:

• This incident occurred as Piastri looks to rebound from a disappointing retirement at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
• Despite the FP1 clash, Hamilton finished the session in fourth, 0.364 seconds behind pacesetter Fernando Alonso.
• Piastri was close behind in fifth, just 0.001s slower than Hamilton and over 0.2s ahead of his McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris.
• Piastri currently holds a 25-point lead over Norris in the F1 2025 championship with seven races remaining, underscoring the high stakes even in practice sessions.

What's next:

• While a minor incident, these exchanges contribute to the ongoing narrative of the F1 season.
• Drivers will continue to push the limits in subsequent practice sessions and qualifying, where track positioning and awareness become even more critical.
• The focus for both drivers will shift to optimizing performance for qualifying and the race, with the championship battle between Piastri and Norris remaining a key storyline.