F1
A bitter 3rd place for Piastri: “I feel like I could have caught Max”
© Eric Alonso / DPPI
What if victory in this Japanese Grand Prix had been decided in qualifying on Saturday? This is what was suggested Oscar piastri upon the latter's arrival this Sunday. In a handkerchief with his teammate Lando Norris, the Australian seemed to have a better rhythm than this one.
Always very close to him, he nevertheless never managed to be close enough to hope to be able to attack him. The Aussie, believing that he had a better pace than his teammate or that he could push his McLaren a little further on, then suggested reversing the positions on the track. Obviously with the aim of being able to put pressure on Max Verstappen ahead of them. In vain, since the English team ultimately never gave any instructions to its drivers, freezing the positions behind the day's winner.
« The pace was very good and I was very happy with it., smiled Oscar Piastri after his second podium of the season. I was able to get close several times to try to challenge him (Lando Norris) But track position is very important. Saturday was the day I could have played for the win and I didn't do a good enough job. I'll take this podium. There are still a lot of positives to take from this weekend, the pace was very good. Next time I'll try to be in a better position to take advantage of it. »
As for the strategy, the driver of the McLaren No. 81, who stopped a lap earlier than Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, assured that it was not a desire to undercut them. On the contrary. I was trying to cover the drivers behind, he says. I had a bit of trouble with the mediums and I was in the window to make a pit stop. That was the strategy and I respect the team's decision for that. »
Finally, Oscar Piastri returned to his rejected request to swap positions with Lando Norris. For the Aussie, it seemed logical to at least try, but he ultimately accepted it, despite himself.
« It wasn't really painful (not to exchange positions), he continues. I felt like I had a really good pace and I could have caught Max if I was behind him. But that's how it goes when you qualify behind. At least I asked the question and the answer was fair and made sense. »
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Gonzalo Forbes
In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.
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vincent moyet
06/04/2025 at 06:22 a.m.
While the two McLarens aren't untouchable, Norris, who is more experienced and better placed in the standings due to his more consistent performance, must quickly be designated as the leader. If they take points off each other, they'll hand Verstappen the title. So, freezing the positions was the best thing to do.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
06/04/2025 at 02:41 a.m.
Piastri knows he needs to improve in qualifying... and this GP proves it: without a small mistake in sector 1 yesterday in Q3, he would have had pole position because he was faster than Verstappen's stratospheric lap in sectors 2 and 3!
SYLVAIN DUCREUX
06/04/2025 at 01:35 a.m.
Norris was running on Verstappen's time, Piastri was a little faster than Norris but unable to pass him fairly. I deduce that he wouldn't have passed Verstappen either. McLaren played it safe and that's understandable.
DANIEL MEYERS
06/04/2025 at 01:05 a.m.
We were entitled to expect progress from the wall at McLaren, but it seems to be absolutely nothing, they will offer a 5th title to Verstappen and precipitate an all-out war between Norris and Piastri.