Andrea Stella claims Oscar Piastri made the ‘difference’ to clinch victory at Azerbaijan GP
Andrea Stella said Oscar Piastri's well-managed tires and precise driving to overtake Charles Leclerc made the difference in the Azerbaijan GP.
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Andrea Stella and Oscar Piastri (via IMAGO)
Oscar Piastri qualified second for the Azerbaijan GP and was McLaren’s main hope for a win, as teammate Lando Norris started from P17. In the first stint of the race, pole-sitter Charles Leclerc built up a six-second lead over Piastri.
However, McLaren’s excellent tire management and fast lap times put him in the mix for the lead. He overtook Leclerc with a bold move on the inside of the first corner.
Team principal Andrea Stella stated that Oscar Piastri benefited from having his hard tires in great condition when Charles Leclerc pitted. This gave Piastri an advantage, allowing him to attack Leclerc more effectively. The good condition of the 23-year-old’s tires helped him make a successful move in the first corner.
I think Oscar just took advantage that his hard tyres were in a really sweet spot when [Charles] Leclerc pitted ahead of him, and it just seemed to have an edge to be able to attack him in corner one.Andrea Stella said, as reported by Pitdebreif.com
Stella mentioned that in this situation, Piastri’s talent and precise driving made the difference. His skill and careful handling of the car allowed him to stand out and succeed, while his ability to drive well and make the most of his tires was crucial in getting ahead of Leclerc. The Australian later exclaimed that it was the most stressful weekend of his life.
So it’s one of those cases in which the talent, the precision in the execution from Oscar’s point of view just made the difference.Andrea Stella added
Andrea Stella claims Oscar Piastri drove like a driver with lot of experience at the Azerbaijan GP
Andrea Stella believed Oscar Piastri demonstrated his mental strength during the race. The 23-year-old drove as if he had a lot of experience, handling the pressure really well. Piastri managed to keep track of both the car’s position and where to brake at the same time.
I would say today he also gave a demonstration of his mental strength. He drove like a driver that has a lot of experience, that has been under this kind of pressure before.Andrea Stella explained
Certainly, McLaren was impressed by how Piastri stayed calm and focused under pressure. He skillfully managed to keep an eye on his mirrors while also knowing when to brake. This ability to handle multiple tasks allowed him to perform exceptionally well and ultimately win the race.
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Gaurang Kadam
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