A year on from their dramatic Abu Dhabi clash, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri are once again heading into the season finale with bad blood simmering. In the 2024 title decider, Verstappen launched an overambitious divebomb at Turn 1, spinning Piastri around and earning himself a 10-second penalty. The Dutchman later admitted he knew he’d messed up the moment contact happened.
Piastri didn’t hold back on team radio, sarcastically calling it “the move of a world champion.” Verstappen accepted full responsibility, saying he tried to back out but the damage was already done when his right-front clipped Piastri’s left-rear. The incident cost both drivers dearly in a race where the constructors’ crown was still up for grabs.
Fast-forward to 2025 and the stakes are even higher. Verstappen arrives just 12 points behind Lando Norris and still mathematically in the hunt for a fifth drivers’ title. With Norris and Piastri both ahead in the standings, the reigning champion knows another aggressive start might be his only shot if he qualifies behind either McLaren.
Piastri, meanwhile, will miss valuable track time in Friday’s FP1 as IndyCar star Pato O’Ward takes his seat for the session. The Australian will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last year’s Turn 1 chaos, especially with the drivers’ championship now on the line instead of just constructors’ points.
History has a habit of repeating itself at Yas Marina. One thing is certain: if Verstappen needs to make a bold move on Sunday, he’ll be remembering exactly how costly that same corner was twelve months ago.
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