Piastri Outlines Changes After Underwhelming Abu Dhabi Start

Oscar Piastri concluded FP2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix outside the top ten, facing a challenging start to his weekend after a limited running. Having ceded his MCL39 to Pato O'Ward in FP1, Piastri's afternoon session effectively marked his true beginning, leaving him with ground to make up against his rivals. He's now looking at overnight adjustments to improve for qualifying.

Why it matters:

McLaren is in a fierce battle for championship positions, and every session counts, especially for a driver like Piastri who is in a tight fight for P4 in the Drivers' Championship. Starting the final race weekend with reduced track time and an FP2 outside the top ten puts him at a slight disadvantage, requiring a quick turnaround to secure vital points.

The details:

• Limited Track Time: Piastri missed FP1, handing his car over to Pato O'Ward, which meant he started his Abu Dhabi weekend effectively from FP2.
• FP2 Performance: He finished FP2 in eleventh position, struggling to put together a competitive lap on soft tires. His race pace was also noted to be slower than both his teammate, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen.
• Driver's Assessment: Piastri acknowledged the "shorter day" but focused on the "learning in FP2." He stated the car was "in a good window" but admitted "we just need to make a few tweaks overnight." He also mentioned "finding my feet towards the end," indicating he was still getting comfortable with the track and car setup.

The big picture:

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has softened the team's strict 'no-orders' policy for the Abu Dhabi finale. While previously advocating for a purely competitive approach, similar to the 2007 scenario where Kimi Räikkönen won the title over two McLaren drivers, Brown now indicates that team orders could be implemented if one driver is clearly out of championship contention. This shift suggests a strategic pivot to maximize the team's chances in the Constructors' Championship and support individual driver goals if the situation demands it.

What's next:

Piastri and his team will be working through the night to analyze data and make the necessary "tweaks" to the MCL39. The goal is to improve performance significantly for Saturday's qualifying session and ensure he can compete strongly for a good grid position. A strong qualifying performance will be crucial to overcoming the initial handicap and putting him in a better position for the race to secure a high championship standing.