Piastri’s place in F1 history

A rare error-strewn weekend in Azerbaijan ended a golden run of finishes for Oscar Piastri, which has given him a small slice of F1 history.

The first-lap crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Piastri’s first DNF since the United States Grand Prix of 2023, his rookie season.

It brings to an end a remarkable run of 42 consecutive points finishes that has pushed the 24-year-old alongside the very best.

Only Lewis Hamilton (48) and Max Verstappen (43) sit above Piastri in the successive streaks of all time.

Piastri is well clear of the next highest of Lando Norris and Hamilton with 34.

The run started with a 10th at Las Vegas, and the run has followed his rise from a rookie to one of the stars of the sport, containing all nine wins.

Even though a clash with Carlos Sainz saw the #81 McLaren finish 13th at Miami last year, he still scored points by being sixth in the Sprint.

What makes the Australians’ run even more impressive is how early it has taken place in his career.

No driver with 10 or more consecutive points finishes has started such a run in their rookie season.

The only streak of note that started in a driver’s maiden season was when Hamilton famously finished his first nine races of his career on the podium in 2007.

As impressive as the streak was, the main thing on Piastri’s mind is his championship lead, which remains a solid 25 points over Lando Norris despite the Baku disappointment.

“You’re never going to feel amazing after a weekend like this,” Piastri said.

“But, ultimately, I felt like the pace has still been good this weekend and I think it’s rare that I have so many executional errors.

“I am very much focused on putting that behind me. 

“I would be much more concerned if these errors were because I was trying to make up time or do things like that. 

“I think they should be, obviously being costly errors, things that can be very, very easily rectified.”

1: Lewis Hamilton 48 Britain 2018-Bahrain 2020

2: Max Verstappen 43 Imola 2022-Saudi Arabia 2024

3: Oscar Piastri 42 Las Vegas 2023-Italy 2025

4: Lando Norris 34 Abu Dhabi 2023-Spain 2025

5: Lewis Hamilton 34 Japan 2024-Belgium 2025

6: Lewis Hamilton 33 Japan 2016-France 2018

7: Max Verstappen 31 Japan 2024-Canada 2025

8: Kimi Raikkonen 27 Bahrain 2012-Hungary 2013

9: Michael Schumacher 40 Hungary 2001-Malaysia 2003

10: Lewis Hamilton 24 Bahrain 2023-Saudi Arabia 2024

Image: McLaren

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