Oscar Piastri finished third in today’s Sprint Qualifying, setting the grid for the F1 Qatar GP Sprint Race tomorrow. The Australian noticed a significant difference compared to last year’s Grand Prix.
McLaren placed both its drivers in the top three positions ahead of tomorrow’s Sprint Race. On this day of action at the F1 Qatar GP, Oscar Piastri appeared reasonably satisfied with his performance in qualifying, where he secured third place.
He was outpaced only by teammate Lando Norris, who claimed pole position, and a strong-performing George Russell.
The Qualifying Lap and Grip Differences
The McLaren driver shared his initial thoughts following the Sprint Qualifying: “I’m reasonably happy with my result. It wasn’t the fastest lap of my life, but I think conditions are very challenging for everyone. I struggled at the start but eventually found my rhythm, and the margins were very tight.”
Oscar Piastri welcomed the differences from last year. At Losail, drivers experienced a track with noticeably more grip, a factor that enhances the driving experience in these cars.
“There’s more grip this year compared to last, so the sensations at high speed are incredibly fun. The conditions weren’t very different from those in free practice. The wind dropped, which makes the car easier to drive, but overall, everything feels simpler than in 2023. It’s really a fantastic and enjoyable track. Sessions where you drive at full speed are something special.”
Tomorrow, Andrea Stella’s protégé will challenge George Russell to secure, alongside Lando Norris, a crucial one-two finish for McLaren in the constructors’ championship. In Qatar, McLaren has its first opportunity to mathematically defeat Ferrari, which has so far appeared inferior to the Woking cars.
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