It was the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s critical juncture. And no, it was not the controversial lap-one clash between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, officiated fairly and promptly by the stewards, who handed the Red Bull driver a five-second penalty. Of course, the punishment was a pivotal verdict. But it was not the pivotal moment.

Oscar Piastri has his first lead in the Formula 1 world championship. Piastri took advantage of Max Verstappen’s five-second time penalty at the first corner of the race to take the lead during the race’s only green-flag pit stop cycle and win Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri has shown he has the pace to fight for the Formula 1 title. In winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, he showed he can win an argument, too.