Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Oscar Piastri faced another hurdle in his attempt to clinch his first victory since August, qualifying in fifth place during a rainy qualifying session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday. The McLaren driver now confronts a significant challenge as he prepares for Saturday's race, particularly with teammate and championship leader Lando Norris taking pole position for the third consecutive race.
With only two races remaining and a total of 58 points still attainable, Norris has a 24-point lead in the standings. Piastri has been outperformed by Norris in his last three qualifying sessions, which adds pressure as he aims to close the points gap in Nevada. Nevertheless, Piastri remains optimistic about his chances in the race.
"Operational issues at the beginning of my lap hindered our performance," Piastri stated. "While I can't quantify the time lost, I know we could have done better. Our car has shown its strength in various conditions, and I’m hopeful about improving my position in the race." Piastri last tasted victory at the Netherlands Grand Prix in August and is eager to reclaim that success.
Andrea Stella, the team principal, remarked that Piastri could have secured third place had he not encountered a yellow flag during his final lap. "It was unfortunate for Oscar to face a yellow flag right at the end. P3 was achievable, but P5 remains a respectable position. We have a competitive package this season," Stella explained. He also noted the team's improvements in understanding the notoriously tricky Las Vegas circuit.
Race day will be crucial for Piastri, who is set on optimizing his performance to potentially clinch a podium finish. Both McLaren drivers will aim to extract maximum performance in what promises to be a challenging night race on the Nevada street circuit. The adverse weather during qualifying tested the skills and timing of all drivers, and now Piastri looks to convert his fifth-place start into a successful race outcome.
Despite the earlier setbacks, McLaren remains confident. Their car has shown consistent pace in both wet and dry conditions, and Piastri's vehicle is expected to perform strongly during the race. "We’re committed to achieving podium finishes with both cars," Stella indicated, highlighting the team's resolve to accumulate crucial points in the championship.
Piastri's fifth-place qualifying spot underscores the challenges he faces against his teammate Norris and other top contenders in Formula One, especially under difficult conditions like those encountered in Las Vegas. While his qualifying result wasn’t as strong as hoped, the Aussie’s focus intensifies on the race ahead as he seeks to climb the ranks, secure points, and maintain his championship aspirations.
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