Piastri Reflects on F1 Slump, Admits Monza Team Order Impacted Baku Performance

Oscar Piastri has revealed that McLaren's controversial team order at the Italian Grand Prix, which benefited Lando Norris, played on his mind during his subsequent challenging performance in Azerbaijan. This admission sheds light on the mental pressures and team dynamics at play in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.

Why it matters:

McLaren's internal dynamics and team orders have been a consistent talking point, especially as both Piastri and Norris have shown strong performances. Piastri's candid reflection underscores how such decisions, even if justifiable from a team perspective, can affect a driver's mental state and subsequent race performance. Understanding these internal pressures is key to grasping the full picture of a driver's results.

The Details:

• Monza Team Order: At the Italian GP, Piastri was running third behind Norris. After pit stops, Piastri undercut Norris due to a slow tire change for his teammate. McLaren then instructed Piastri to yield the position to Norris, a decision Piastri initially protested but eventually complied with.
• Baku Struggles: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw Piastri endure a 'terrible weekend.' His issues began with an engine problem in FP1, followed by a crash in qualifying that put him ninth on the grid. He then jumped the start, dropped to the back, and crashed out on the first lap.
• Performance Disparity: Since winning the Dutch GP, Piastri has secured only one podium finish (Monza) in six races, with three fifth-place finishes. In contrast, Norris has achieved two wins and a second place, including a Sprint win, in the same period.
• Championship Standings: Following the Brazilian GP, Norris holds a 24-point advantage over Piastri (390 to 366) with three rounds remaining, highlighting a significant shift in their intra-team battle.
• Piastri's Reflection: On the F1's Beyond the Grid podcast, Piastri explained that his Baku struggles were a "combination of quite a few things," including his performance at Monza and the pit-stop incident. He acknowledged overdriving and dissatisfaction with his own driving in Baku, attributing the qualifying crash to trying "a little too hard."
• "Perfect Storm": Piastri described Baku as a "perfect storm of quite a few things," including C6 tires, which are notoriously tricky. He admitted it was his "worst weekend ever in racing, but probably the most useful."

Between the lines:

Piastri's honesty in linking the Monza team order to his subsequent struggles reveals the psychological toll F1 racing can take. While not directly blaming the team for his Baku performance, his comments indicate that the perceived fairness and hierarchy within the team can significantly impact a driver's focus and confidence. This dynamic is a common thread in F1, where individual ambition meets team strategy.

What's next:

With the season nearing its end, both drivers will be keen to maximize their points. Piastri's introspective look at his performance suggests a strong desire for improvement and growth. McLaren will need to manage the competitive balance between its two drivers carefully as they push for stronger results and look ahead to the next season, ensuring team cohesion while allowing both talents to flourish.