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Max Verstappen has not publicly stated that Oscar Piastri should “expect” payback following recent on-track incidents. While their rivalry has intensified during the 2025 Formula 1 season, particularly after Piastri’s victories in Saudi Arabia and Miami, there is no evidence of Verstappen issuing such a warning.
In the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Piastri secured a win after Verstappen received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track . Despite the setback, Verstappen refrained from direct criticism, and Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, protested the penalty without success .
Their rivalry continued at the Miami Grand Prix, where Piastri delivered a commanding performance to claim his third consecutive victory, extending his lead in the championship standings . Verstappen finished fourth, trailing behind Piastri, Lando Norris, and George Russell.
While Verstappen has previously acknowledged Piastri’s growing prowess, there is no record of him threatening retaliation. In fact, Verstappen has shown sportsmanship in past incidents, such as apologizing to Piastri after a collision in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix .
As the season progresses, the competition between Verstappen and Piastri remains fierce. However, any claims of Verstappen warning Piastri to “expect” payback are unfounded based on available information.