Verstappen and Piastri present true colors after F1 title heartbreak in behind scenes second
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were left heartbroken after Lando Norris pipped them to win the F1 World Championship, but the two rivals showed brilliant grace in defeat
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri showed their true colours in the cooldown room after they were pipped to the F1 World Championship by Lando Norris.
Norris secured his first world title by two points after finishing on the podium at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix behind race winner Verstappen and McLaren team-mate Piastri. While Norris was fighting back the tears, celebrating his triumph, his two rivals were waiting in the cooldown room.
As is customary, the three drivers who finish on the podium gather in the cooldown room, where highlights from the race are shown on a screen, usually bringing out some hilarious reaction.
However, in such crushing circumstances for Verstappen and Piastri, they were sat mulling over what could have been. Piastri even asked Verstappen about what his race strategy was.
“Didn’t want to back everyone up?” Piastri asked. To which Verstappen simply replied: “When I heard the top 16 were still in the pit window, I thought that wasn’t too bad.”
When Norris entered the room, Verstappen asked his friend how it felt to be world champion, showing his true colours in an incredibly tough situation.
Speaking after the race, Piastri had kind words for his team-mate, calling him a deserving world champion.
He said: “I think a very deserving one. I think I know that every weekend I go on track it’s going to be tough and I think we’ve pushed each other through the last three years.
“I think especially this season it’s been tighter than ever. I think he’s had a great season and I think probably all three of us. Obviously myself and Lando in the same team and the same car have had our ups and downs at different moments. Ultimately, I think he’s had a good season and a deserving champion.”
Verstappen was full of praise for his team after an incredible comeback to claw himself back into title contention. “Congrats, guys,” he told his team after crossing the finish line.
“What a comeback in the second half of the season. We can be really proud of that. Don’t be too disappointed, I am definitely not disappointed.
“Really proud of everyone who never gave up. Keep pushing, never giving up, believing in making it a success again even when it was really difficult so, thank you very much everyone.
“Thank you Honda for all these years together and all these amazing successes we’ve had. Definitely closed it in style.”
