India, June 27 -- Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight ago, it seemed that McLaren's Oscar Piastri was in unbeatable form. He had, after all, won five of the 9 races until then and had 3 other podium finishes. Canada would be his next triumphant stop in his quest for the 2025 Drivers' Championship, but that was not to be, as Piastri finished outside of the top 3, with Mercedes' George Russell registering his first win of the season. Although defending champion Max Verstappen took second place, he's still 43 points behind Piastri.

Up next is the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, which, incidentally, was Russell's first of only two wins last year. Verstappen has won at this circuit 4 times, which is the most by any driver. ...