Oscar Piastri has lifted the lid on how his collision with Lando Norris in the United States sprint has handed both McLaren drivers “a clean slate” into Mexico.
The teammates collided on the opening lap of the sprint in Texas which made McLaren backflip on their previously-set repercussions for Norris, due to Piastri’s involvement and error.
The Australian was meant to choose whether he would go out before or after Norris in every qualifying session for the final races of the season. This was due to Norris’ previous opening lap blunder in Singapore, but it seems both incidents have evened out the playing field.
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“We’ve gone through it again [the collision] – we go through every weekend, regardless of what’s happened,” Piastri explained.
Oscar Piastri arrives in the Paddock ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico. Getty
“I think there is a degree of responsibility from my side in the Sprint, and we’re starting this weekend with a clean slate for both of us, so just going out and racing and see who can come out on top.
“Yes, the consequences on Lando’s side have been removed, and yes, ultimately it was that.
“There were a lot of factors involved, but ultimately that’s what’s been decided.”
The implication of papaya rules and favouritism in the team have added immense pressure to the already tense battle between the teammates for the drivers’ championship.
“For us it’s pretty clear what those rules are, which is don’t crash into each other, but I think regardless of what scenario you’re in that’s how you’re expected to race as team mates, so I don’t think that adds any pressure into the scenario,”Piastri concluded.
Speaking on the crash, F1 commentator Martin Brundle said he always believed that Piastri was “predominately to blame.”
The McLaren teammates have a ‘clean slate’ into Mexico. Â Getty
“The Piastri crash in turn one was unfortunate, but I believe he was predominantly to blame,” he said.
“This corner rises steeply by 40 metres, is very wide at the entry point but narrow at the apex, and only a little wider on the exit albeit with some scruffy run off space if required.
“What Piastri did was textbook driving when in normal combat up at turn one, but not at the start as there’s virtually guaranteed to be one or more cars trying to out-brake each other into that space. And there’s no capacity for those cars to slow further or change direction quickly.
“Piastri was very focused on his championship rival, and the pack simply bit him.
“The crying shame for McLaren and Norris…with Verstappen out front it was the worst-case scenario for them.”
When asked about the championship lead that rival Max Verstappen has cut down, Piastri seemed calm, but the Red Bull driver is in close contention and another masterclass like the one in Texas could easily hand him his fifth title.
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in parc ferme during Sprint Qualifying. Getty
“It’s not really something I think about,” Piastri added.
“He [Verstappen] has been very consistent in the last few weekends and been strong as well – there’s no denying that. But there’s no benefit for me in worrying about that or focusing on that.
“The thing that’s going to help me to win this championship is trying to get the most out of myself, the most out of the car, the most out of the team around me, and worrying about anyone else on the grid is not focusing on that.
“He’s there, he’s in the fight, but ultimately that doesn’t change how I’m going to approach my racing.
“Clearly over the last few race weekends, Red Bull and Max have certainly found consistency more than anything – there were flashes of that kind of performance earlier in the season, but I think the last few weekends it’s been very consistent.
“I’m sure that they’re going to be a threat again this weekend, and we’ll try our best to get the most out of our car and see where we end up.”
Practice will begin Saturday at 5.30am AEDT. Norris will not be participating as Pato O’Ward jumps in his car for McLaren’s rookie test at the Mexico City Grand Prix.