Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.
Oscar Piastri admits he was a “bit surprised” by McLaren imposing team orders during the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix.
After scoring his maiden Formula 1 podium in Japan last time out, Piastri converted first place on the grid into his first triumph in the top tier by winning Saturday’s Sprint Race.
The Australian followed that up on Sunday by climbing from sixth to second, edging out team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren notched consecutive double podiums.
“Yeah, it’s been [a] pretty exceptional [weekend], to be honest, Piastri reflected.
“I think Friday was difficult. You know, obviously a bit disappointed after qualifying on Friday, but yesterday went as close to perfect as it could have.
“And today, I think second was probably the most we could have done. So, yeah, very, very happy. Exciting weekend, a lot of progress made.
“And yeah, I think you know, just very proud of that. As a team and also for myself personally, that we’ve managed to get the most out of what our car’s been capable of.”
Both McLaren drivers had acquired starting berths inside the top four until deleted lap times for exceeding track limits saw Piastri drop to sixth and Norris plummet to 10th.
However, Piastri immediately elevated his way up to second on the opening lap, capitalising on carnage ensuing from the two Mercedes cars coming to blows at Turn 1.
“Hit the brakes at the right time, and watch everyone else go off!,” Piastri remarked. “Yeah, honestly, it was as simple as that.
“I don’t really know what happened. Obviously, saw some cars spinning and whatever else but, yeah, the heavens kind of just parted way for me and through to second I went.”
Norris, meanwhile, had also cycled his way through the pack to third and began to increasingly close on his team-mate across the final stint of the 57-lap encounter.
But McLaren opted to intervene, telling Norris to hold position behind Piastri to protect the team’s position against Mercedes’ George Russell, who was lining up a late charge on the Soft tyre.
Asked if receiving team orders that benefitted his race was unexpected, Piastri said: “I was a little bit surprised to be honest. I would have accepted it either way.
“But obviously there was a lot of concerns about tyres and track limits and stuff. So yeah, I think getting second and third for the team was the most important thing.”
3rd place Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren with 2nd place Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.
Piastri had fallen foul of McLaren utilising team orders at Suzuka as he was directed to let Norris by midway through that race.
The resulting 16s margin that developed between the two by the end prompted Piastri to concede that his overall race management required a marked improvement.
Piastri, though, has downplayed the extent of his progress on that front in Qatar, insisting that the maximum 18-lap stint length introduced amid safety concerns provided a different dynamic compared to Japan.
“I think still some improvements to make,” he acknowledged. “I think this race was very different to Japan, obviously with three stops, I think we were basically pushing flat out for the whole race.
“So, it’s a very different kind of race. But, I think, still some work to go.”
He added: “It was just a different kind of tyre deg. I think it was much more front limited this weekend. I think the front left and trying to protect that was by far the biggest thing.
“So yeah, just a different learning experience, I guess. But still good to have it in the bank.”
Keyword: Piastri ‘surprised’ by McLaren team orders in Qatar GP