McLaren Defends 'Serene' Piastri After Vegas Qualifying Misfortune
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has publicly defended Oscar Piastri after a run of bad luck in Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying. Piastri secured fifth on the grid after a yellow flag and traffic ruined his final lap. Stella praised the Australian's 'serene' mental strength and believes he can still contend for a podium or victory, emphasizing the team's full support despite his championship deficit to Lando Norris.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed strong support for Oscar Piastri, despite the Australian's frustrating qualifying session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Piastri, who secured only fifth on the grid, faced unfortunate circumstances that hindered his final attempt, but Stella remains confident in his driver's mental fortitude and race potential.
Why it matters:
- With only three rounds remaining and Piastri trailing teammate Lando Norris by 24 points, every qualifying position and race point is crucial for his bid for the F1 drivers' title.
- McLaren's defense of Piastri highlights the team's commitment to supporting both drivers, even as internal competition heats up.
- A strong race performance from Piastri in Las Vegas could be a significant step in closing the gap to Norris and solidifying his position as a future championship contender.
The details:
- Qualifying Incident: Piastri's final qualifying lap was compromised by a late yellow flag caused by Charles Leclerc's spin. Simultaneously, he encountered a Racing Bulls car as he approached Turn 12, forcing him wide and off track, thus ruining his attempt.
- Unlucky Timing: According to Stella, Piastri was positioned to be the last car to complete his final lap, making the timing of the yellow flag particularly unfortunate.
- Mental Fortitude: Stella praised Piastri's mental strength, describing him as "very strong from a mental point of view." He noted Piastri's calm demeanor in debriefing, attributing it to a "sense of serenity" knowing he had done his best despite external factors.
- Team Support: Stella emphasized the team's role in reinforcing Piastri's positive processing of unfortunate events, underscoring McLaren's supportive environment.
What's next:
Despite the setback in qualifying, Andrea Stella believes Piastri is well-prepared to challenge for a podium finish, or even a victory, in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. His ability to recover from adversity and deliver a strong race performance will be key in proving his championship credentials and maintaining McLaren's momentum in the constructors' standings.