- Oscar Piastri’s dance moves go viral after Miami Grand Prix
- Australian Formula 1 star claimed his third straight race win
Australia’s F1 world championship leader Oscar Piastri has won the Miami Grand Prix, besting pole-sitter Max Verstappen to lead a McLaren one-two finish – but it wasn’t just his drive that stole the show.
Piastri claimed his third straight race win after starting fourth at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday (AEST), joined on the podium by teammate Lando Norris and third-placed George Russell.
Four-time defending world champion Verstappen finished the 57-lap race in fourth.
Piastri climbed out of his car to celebrate with teammates afterwards and, quite surprisingly for the reserved 24-year-old, broke into an awkward rendition of The Griddy.
The dance was taught to him last week by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson who performs the moves after touchdowns.
‘No one has ever done it in racing,’ Jefferson said. ‘You’ll be the first one.’
Australia’s F1 world championship leader Oscar Piastri (pictured) clinched the Miami GP
McLaren driver Piastri has claimed his fourth F1 title of the season, and third in a row
‘Well, if I do it this weekend, I’ll do it for you,’ Piastri replied, and the Aussie kept his word.
F1 fans couldn’t get enough of Piastri’s moves, with clips going viral on X.
‘Do I laugh or cry,’ replied one X user.
‘A new meme is born,’ replied another.
Melbourne-born Piastri now boasts a career-best four wins this season with a 16-point lead in the standings over Norris, after previously going back-to-back in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
With his sixth career win, the 24-year-old became the first McLaren driver to win three straight races since Mika Hakkinen’s haul in 1997-98.
‘Two years ago here in Miami, we were genuinely the slowest team. We got lapped twice,’ Piastri said.
‘To now have won the Grand Prix by over 35 seconds to third is an unbelievable result.
The Aussie Piastri now boasts a career-best four wins this season
Piastri increased his advantage over Lando Norris in the world title fight
‘I won the race that I really wanted to.’
Red Bull’s Verstappen gave up his lead on lap 13 after braking too late at the first corner, losing more ground to Norris five laps later.
Verstappen could only lament his luck on the team radio: ‘F*** brakes, man. Honestly useless.’
Mercedes driver Russell, after qualifying in fifth, jumped Verstappen on lap 30 after a strategic pit stop under the virtual safety car.
An engine issue suffered by Haas rookie Oliver Bearman had brought out the safety car.
McLaren ace Norris also pulled off an impressive drive to recover from sixth for a podium finish.
Norris, starting from the front row, had plummeted down the order on the first lap after Verstappen forced him wide at the second turn.
Piastri (pictured with partner Lily Zneimer) started the day in fourth but quickly made up ground
Red Bull heavyweight Verstappen had only just recovered from locking up his wheels at the previous turn.
Australian rookie Jack Doohan’s race ended just seconds into the opening lap after a wheel puncture.
The under-pressure Alpine driver had collided with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson at turn one.
Doohan, after finishing 16th in the sprint, had started in 14th after out-qualifying teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time.
Lawson also failed to finish the race, along with Kick Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
