Oscar Piastri brands the chaotic Dutch GP as a ‘baptism by fire’

Oscar Piastri had a roller coaster of a ride at the Dutch GP.

Oscar Piastri brands the chaotic Dutch GP as a ‘baptism by fire’

Oscar Piastri (Credits: Imago)

As the rain-soaked Dutch GP unfolded, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were caught in a tempest of unpredictability. The duo had enjoyed a stellar qualifying session, with Norris securing second on the grid and Oscar Piastri a respectable ninth. However, their Sunday baptism at Zandvoort was a rollercoaster ride that they won’t soon forget.

When the heavens opened early in the race, McLaren decided to keep their drivers on slick tires, hoping for a swift cessation of the downpour. Unfortunately, this gamble didn’t pay off as expected, and both Lando Norris and Piastri watched their positions plummet as the slicks struggled for grip on the slippery track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyvzXt8Z20M

“It was chaotic,” Piastri said, as reported by Racingnews365, encapsulating the essence of the tumultuous race. Amid the weather-induced turmoil, they clung to their strategy, anticipating a change in fortune. The rain persisted, and they found themselves at the back of the pack, battling not only the elements but also the relentless competition. He added, “A lot to learn from. For me, we have had a lot of crazy races so it has been a bit of a baptism of fire in my rookie season, but all part of the learning curve.”

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However, amidst the downpour, Piastri showcased his mettle and skill. As the track began to dry, he unleashed a remarkable performance, setting sector after sector in purple. It proved that the MCL60 had the pace to challenge the people ahead of them. However, the odds did not fare the Woking outfit well, and both the drivers ended up in seventh and ninth. 

Discover: Charles Leclerc blames collision with Oscar Piastri for Dutch GP DNF

Oscar Piastri admits that McLaren’s mistakes and his crash in FP2 cost him dearly

Oscar Piastri's crash in the FP2 of Dutch GP
Oscar Piastri’s crash in the FP2 of the Dutch GP (Credits: Planet F1)

The rollercoaster of emotions continued with another rain shower, causing a dramatic crash for Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and necessitating a 45-minute red flag period. In this whirlwind of events, Piastri was thrust into an intense battle for points. Eventually, he crossed the finish line in ninth place, salvaging valuable points for McLaren.

Reflecting on his first outing at the Zandvoort circuit, Piastri admitted to a mix of opportunities seized and lessons learned. “Maybe a few opportunities that we could have done a bit more with, also a couple of mistakes from my side that certainly didn’t help our cause,” he confessed. His crash during second practice at Turn 3 wrecked his preparation for the race. 

“I didn’t help myself with the crash in FP2,” Piastri acknowledged, “every day has been a massive learning point.” It was a journey of discovery, albeit one with its fair share of challenges and moments of self-reflection. Ultimately, Piastri’s baptism by fire in the Dutch Grand Prix was a microcosm of his nascent Formula 1 career. 

As the dust settled on Zandvoort, it was clear that Oscar Piastri and McLaren had the pace underneath them but failed to bring that to life due to ill decisions. The F1 circus will land at the ‘temple of speed’ Monza this weekend, and Piastri hopes to score his maiden podium. 

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