Oscar Piastri Exposes McLaren’s “Pretty Obvious” Mistake That Cost Qatar GP Win

Oscar Piastri recalled the obvious blunder that McLaren committed at the Qatar GP that cost him the race win.

Oscar Piastri Exposes McLaren’s “Pretty Obvious” Mistake That Cost Qatar GP Win

Oscar Piastri (via IMAGO)

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Oscar Piastri began the Qatar GP weekend as one of the best drivers over the weekend. Piastri clinched pole positions in both the Sprint and regular Qualifying sessions.

Moreover, the Aussie seemed to be the favorite to win the race after seeing his Sprint race pace. However, McLaren committed a massive blunder and cost the 24-year-old his race win, which might bite him back during his title battle in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren decided to stick to an interesting strategy with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the Qatar GP and not pit under the safety car following Nico Hulkenberg‘s crash on track.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen pitted his car and was on the front foot for the entirety of the race. Following the culmination of the race, Piastri accepted that, in hindsight, it was pretty obvious where the team went wrong and what they shouldn’t have done in Qatar.

Oscar Piastri lamented the entire situation and claimed that McLaren clearly did not get the strategy right at the Qatar GP. Piastri recalled that he drove as fast as he could and maximized his race pace, but it was of no use. It was too late, and the gap was far too big for the Aussie to cover against Max Verstappen.

Further, Oscar Piastri accepted that, in hindsight, it was pretty obvious that the team should have pitted under the safety car and stuck to the strategy that the entire grid was using.

Regardless, the Aussie noted that the team would discuss the entire situation and ensure that such situations do not occur again. The 24-year-old accepted that his Qatar GP loss was a difficult pill to swallow, as his championship chances might be over from this point forward.

Clearly we did not get it right tonight. I drove as fast as I could but wasn’t to be. In hindsight it is pretty obvious what we should have done, but we’ll discuss that as a team. A little bit tough to swallow at the moment.

Oscar Piastri said in a post-race interview.

Oscar Piastri claims he’s feeling “pretty crappy” after the Qatar GP loss

McLaren had refused to present to the media for an interview before the podium celebrations were finished. The team rushed to the back of the garage, presumably to discuss the entire race and the blunders that cost them the race win. Now, Oscar Piastri makes a brutal confession and claims that he isn’t feeling his best following the Qatar GP loss.

Oscar Piastri (via Getty)
Oscar Piastri (via Getty)

Oscar Piastri accepted that he was feeling pretty crappy in the moment. He recalled that his race pace was strong and he did not make any mistakes on the track. Piastri insisted that he left his race in the team’s hands, and they sadly made the wrong call. Still, all is not lost for the Aussie as he aims to drive at the Abu Dhabi GP just like he did throughout this weekend.

Feeling pretty crap as you can imagine. The pace was strong and I didn’t put a foot wrong. I left it in the team’s hands to decide what to do as they have more information than I do. Just need to drive like I did this weekend, that was more than enough to dominate this weekend.

Oscar Piastri noted.

Certainly, it isn’t fun to lose, especially at such a crucial point in the championship battle. Oscar Piastri is currently 16 points adrift of the championship lead, and Lando Norris must have an extremely poor race to enable the former’s winning chances. However, it is not over until it’s over, and the 24-year-old is definitely hoping for things to play out in his favor in Abu Dhabi.

Read More: Lando Norris Blames ‘Understeer’ Choking at the Critical Moment in Qatar GP Qualifying