Oscar Piastri, the promising young driver from McLaren, expressed optimism about his chances in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite qualifying in fifth position. The Australian racer believes both he and his McLaren MCL39 possess the pace to contend not only for a podium finish but potentially for victory, even as he noted the disruptions caused by a yellow flag and competitors during qualifying.
The conditions in Las Vegas for the qualifying round were challenging, with a wet street circuit complicating matters for all drivers. As Piastri faced the pressure of Q3, he acknowledged that the session started well, but somewhere along the way, things took a turn when Charles Leclerc spun at Turn 12, prompting yellow flags. Piastri, dedicated to adhering to safety protocols, decelerated in response, which unfortunately left him vulnerable to an aggressive maneuver from Isack Hadjar, who nearly overtook him while navigating around the yellow flag situation.
Former F1 champion Jenson Button commented on the incident, highlighting the level of confusion exhibited during the qualifying. Piastri, while reflecting on the situation, chose to focus on his performance. “I felt very good in Q1 and again in Q3,” he mentioned, encapsulating his belief in his car’s capabilities. Despite the frustrating end to his session, Piastri remains hopeful about the race ahead, stating, “We’ve got some pace for tomorrow.”
As the race approaches, Piastri’s fifth-place starting position places him 24 points behind his teammate, Lando Norris, who secured pole position. The young driver is aware of the strategic implications this race may have on the overall championship picture. He remarked, “It’s Las Vegas, so a lot can happen. We’ve seen pretty entertaining races here the last couple of years.”
With an eye on the podium, Piastri expressed confidence in their team’s performance, saying, “The car’s been pretty quick in all conditions.” This sentiment reflects a hopeful outlook as he braces for what might be another thrilling chapter in Formula 1 racing.
As the race unfolds, fans will be eager to see how Piastri’s resilience and skill play out on the track amid the unpredictable dynamics of a wet race in Las Vegas.