F1 Spanish GP: Charles Leclerc–Max Verstappen incident results in no further action
On a lap 61 safety car restart, Verstappen lost momentum with a huge oversteer moment out of the final corner as he tried to get his hard tyres up to speed against drivers around him on softer rubber.
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That opened the door for Leclerc to pull alongside and overtake Verstappen, but then the Monegasque appeared to slightly move towards the Dutchman's car while they were still alongside, something Verstappen felt Leclerc should have been penalised for.
The stewards held a different view and noted both drivers were moving towards each other, leaving it as a racing incident with neither party fully to blame.
"The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), the driver of Car 16 (Charles Leclerc), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence," the stewards wrote.
"Car 1 lost traction while navigating Turn 14 and therefore had to defend his position on track against Car 16. Car 16 proceeded to move to overtake Car 1 on the start-finish straight. Both cars were moving slightly towards each other in the middle of the track and a minor collision occurred as a result.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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"Both drivers were of the view that this was an avoidable collision and could potentially have resulted in a major crash but neither driver was wholly or predominantly to blame. In the circumstances, we took no further action."
Verstappen eventually finished 10th after a 10s penalty for colliding into George Russell, while Leclerc claimed third behind the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen's penalty came with three penalty points on his licence, leaving him one point away from a race ban between now and the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June.
Photos from Spanish GP - Race
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Content Pool
Kika Cerqueira Gomes in the Paddock
Kika Cerqueira Gomes in the Paddock
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Jude Bellingham greets fans in the Paddock
Jude Bellingham greets fans in the Paddock
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Jude Bellingham greets fans in the Paddock
Jude Bellingham greets fans in the Paddock
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA with Roberto Carlos, Marco Materazzi and Ivan Cordoba
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
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Roberto Carlos and Trent Alexander-Arnold
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Ferrari pitstop practice
Ferrari pitstop practice
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group with Luis Fonsi, Marco Materazzi, Gianni Infantino, President, FIFA, Ivan Cordoba and Roberto Carlos
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group with Luis Fonsi, Marco Materazzi, Gianni Infantino, President, FIFA, Ivan Cordoba and Roberto Carlos
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Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
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Trevoh Chalobah, Noni Madueke and Reece James
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Jude Bellingham, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, James Trafford pose for a photo outside the McLaren garage
Jude Bellingham, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, James Trafford pose for a photo outside the McLaren garage
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Content Pool
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Drivers, official delegates and grid kids stand on the grid
Drivers, official delegates and grid kids stand on the grid
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lluis Gene / AFP via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Clive Rose / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lluis Gene / AFP via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Clive Rose / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Clive Rose / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams
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Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP Via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP Via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Alexander Albon, Williams
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Alexander Albon, Williams
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
David Ramos / Getty Images
David Ramos / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Kym Illman / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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David Ramos / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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David Ramos / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Clive Rose / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Kym Illman / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 01: A huge crowd gathers to celebrates at the podium ceremony during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Andy Hone/LAT Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 01: A huge crowd gathers to celebrates at the podium ceremony during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Andy Hone/LAT Images)
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
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