Oscar Piastri has denied that McLaren’s strategic fumble in Formula 1‘s Qatar Grand Prix was caused by its principles of equality between him and team-mate Lando Norris.
The Australian looked set for victory in Doha, having led the field away from pole position, in race conditions that had previously made overtaking difficult.
But Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly’s Lap 7 clash led to a Safety Car, in which the majority of the field, including Max Verstappen, pitted for fresh tyres.
McLaren did not react likewise, and the decision not to box resulted in Verstappen stealing the win and setting up a three-way showdown for the title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
After the race, it was suggested that McLaren’s willingness to treat both himself and Norris – who finished fourth – equally, perhaps it has contributed to a possible loss of the Drivers’ Championship, Piastri rebuffed the idea it has been a recurring theme that has ultimately worked against the Woking-based squad.
“I don’t think there’s really been too many scenarios where it’s been detrimental to us, really,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“Obviously, there was what happened in Monza, but that’s really the only one where maybe you can… Well, a lot of people did argue about it!
“But I think the last few races have been nothing to do with how we’ve approached things as a team going wrong.
“On my side, it’s been some things with the car and myself just not working. Clearly, Lando has been very quick the last few weeks.
“This weekend, I think we got it wrong just because that’s what we thought was the right thing to do – not because we were concerned about what was fair or what was not.
“So I don’t think we need to change that approach. I think it yields a lot of positives.
“Yes, there are some tough moments, but there are also a lot of tough moments if you go in a different direction to that.
“So, yeah, I don’t think we need to change anything.”
Piastri admits Qatar open goal miss ‘hurts’ but situation ‘not a catastrophe’
Piastri, having been title leader for the majority of the season, and at one stage occupying a 34-point lead, now sits in third, four points behind Verstappen, who is 12 points behind Norris.
From title favourite to outsider, it will now require a big push in Abu Dhabi to get the job done, and whilst admitting the result “hurt”, there is still cause to be optimistic.
“It’s certainly not a catastrophe,” he examined. “I think we made a wrong decision today. I think that’s clear, but it’s not like the world ended.
“So, obviously, it hurts at the moment, but with time, things will get better.
“There’s been lots of difficult moments – this year, previous seasons together – and I feel like you always become stronger through some of these moments.
“But it all depends on how you deal with it. So I’m sure we’ll get through it. But, yeah, obviously, at the moment, it does hurt.”
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri concedes lost F1 Qatar GP win ‘hurts more’ than McLaren’s double Las Vegas DSQ
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