Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. 26.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Coates / XPB Images
Oscar Piastri was pleased to end his maiden Formula 1 campaign on a “decent note”, but believes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix exposed McLaren’s weaknesses.
Piastri’s weekend drew a familiar picture as he impressed on Saturday to qualify third fastest, but he struggled with tyre degradation on his way to settling for sixth.
The Australian maintained his third-place grid spot until he lost touch with Charles Leclerc on Lap 4. He then ceded position to team-mate Lando Norris after recognising the Briton had the pace to contemplate an attack on the Ferrari.
“We were free to race [Norris],” Piastri confirmed after the race. “I think at that point, I thought that he had a bit more pace and could attack Charles and try and help us out.
“But in the end, he didn’t have enough to get Charles. And I didn’t have enough to keep George [Russell] behind.
“I think it was nice to just have a clean race. It’s been a while since I’ve had a race without contact or something crazy going on,” said Piastri who had been caught up in on-track incidents in each of the the four races prior to the Abu Dhabi finale.
“Maybe not as strong as we would have liked as a team. I think my first and second stints weren’t my best stints of the year. But I think the final stint looked quite strong so nice to end it on a decent note.”
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. 26.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Coates / XPB Images
Piastri had been hoping for more from the final race of the year but had to accept that the Yas Marina Circuit exposed some of the lingering weaknesses of the MCL60.
“I think we hoped for a bit more pace,” Piastri conceded. “But we know that our car’s still weak in a few areas. And I think this track definitely exposes that in places.
“I think we struggled a bit. Both of us. Maybe I would have done a few things differently [if] I had that race again.
“I think the races have definitely been the area of focus for the whole year. The last stint, things were starting to click a lot more and the pace generally was much better. Just some things still to work on.
“These tyres are not easy. This car is not easy in certain conditions. So yeah, it’s always a bit of a new experience in every Grand Prix. So hopefully next year, now I’ve been to all the circuits in this car I know a bit more what to expect.
“I feel like I’ve left every race knowing a lot more than I did at the start of them. So hopefully that can be a bit stronger next year.”
Keyword: Piastri: Abu Dhabi GP ‘exposed’ weak points of McLaren car