Oscar Piastri might have lost his lead in the drivers’ championship, but he limited the damage and salvaged his weekend in Mexico City with a drive the commentators described as “feisty” to finish fifth.
Still, the Australian was coy and unwilling to accept praise when interviewed trackside after the race.
“Obviously, when your teammate wins the race, finishing fifth, is nothing that extravagant,” he said on the race broadcast.
Oscar Piastri was frustrated with his results in Mexico City, but remains optimistic he can make an impact in the final four races.Credit: Getty Images
Piastri now has 356 points for the season, while his McLaren teammate Lando Norris shot to 357 with his win in Mexcio City. Max Verstappen – winner of the drivers’ championship for each of the past four years – is the lurking threat, still within striking distance on 321 points.
The top 10 placegetters in each race score points, ranging from 25 for a win to 1one for 10th. Verstappen got 15 for finishing third in Mexico City, while Piastri’s fifth place earned him 10 points.
“Like the whole race, I was right behind someone and just struggling with dirty air,” Piastri said with a hint of frustration.
“So that was, was pretty difficult. But I think for me, the biggest thing is trying to learn the things I wanted to learn today. You know, I think yesterday kind of became obvious that after the session that there were a few things that I needed to change, pretty majorly in how I was driving, and today was about first to try to level the damage, but also try and learn some things about that.
“So, you know, if I’ve made some progress with that, then I’ll be happy.”
Piastri’s McLaren on the Mexico City circuit.Credit: Getty Images
The Australian said his faith in his driving ability remained strong.
“I’ve just had to drive very differently the last couple of weekends, or not driven differently when I should have,” he said.
“I think that’s been a little bit kind of strange to get my head around because I’ve been driving exactly the same as I have all year, just that these last couple of weekends, the car or the tyres, or something, has required quite a different way of driving.
“So [we] tried a few things with trying to change things up a bit today, and once we analyse if it’s effective or not … [we] will hopefully help see some progress.”
Piastri took accountability for the lull in his results, rather than blaming his car.
“I mean, the car’s obviously not changed for a while now. So it’s nothing to do with the car,” he said.
“I think you know, the given how the pace has differentiated the last couple of races, clearly, Lando has found that a bit easier to just dial into, and I haven’t.
“[We need] plenty of analysis to try and get further on top of that, but I think it’s important to remember for the other 19 races, the way I’ve been driving has been working pretty well, so it’s more about adding some tools to a toolbox rather than reinventing myself.”