Oscar Piastri Makes ‘Pathetic’ Confession After Losing Pole to Charles Leclerc for Hungarian GP

Oscar Piastri was left seething after losing the pole position start to Charles Leclerc for the Hungarian GP.

Oscar Piastri Makes ‘Pathetic’ Confession After Losing Pole to Charles Leclerc for Hungarian GP

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

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McLaren seemed to be the most dominant team on the track since the beginning of the Hungarian GP weekend, more so with Oscar Piastri. The Aussie was on a great trajectory to clinch the pole position if it wasn’t for some minor mistakes that cost him the position against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Now, as Leclerc shockingly snatched the P1 start, Piastri issues a harsh statement against himself and his performance on Saturday.

The Hungaroring developed a lot as time passed since most of the drivers had to run their laps as late as possible to achieve the best lap time. Even though Oscar Piastri was strong and maintained his lead in the early qualifying sessions, he couldn’t quite keep it up in Q3. Charles Leclerc, who remained in close vicinity of the lead of the pack, clinched the pole position as Piastri isn’t too impressed with his own pace in Qualifying.

Oscar Piastri didn’t hold back from criticizing himself after losing the pole position to Charles Leclerc despite having the faster challenger. Piastri blamed the wind and its change of pace over the session as he lost crucial lap time on the turns. However, the Australian didn’t mince his words and accepted that he felt ‘pathetic’ to blame the wind for his mistakes in performance.

Piastri recalled that maintaining the same speed and pace through the changing wind conditions became quite tricky as he ultimately lost the P1 position. The 24-year-old reckoned that he didn’t have a perfect execution on Saturday, as he will still start the race from the front row. The Australian concluded that he was surprised that he couldn’t go any quicker than he did over the qualifying session.

I think the wind changed a lot, it sounds so pathetic blaming the wind but it switched around. It was difficult to judge in those conditions, maybe not the best execution. I was surprised we couldn’t go quicker than that.

Oscar Piastri said in a post-session interview

Oscar Piastri accepts he was ‘not expecting’ to lose pole position

Oscar Piastri has been a rather sublime driver, rarely committing mistakes and giving it his all on the track. Even though the circumstances at the Hungarian GP Qualifying were out of his control, McLaren’s dominant pace should have still helped him triumph. Regardless, keeping in mind the truth at hand, Piastri accepts that he did not expect losing the P1 start to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

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

Ferrari’s performance throughout the Hungarian GP has remained decent, but it wasn’t so good to clinch the pole position with so ease. Oscar Piastri recalled that Leclerc remained quick throughout the weekend as he remained closer than expected during the qualifying sessions as well. However, Piastri insisted that he did not expect being second to a Ferrari.

Charles has been quick all weekend, and even this morning he was closer than expected. I wasn’t expecting to be second to a Ferrari this weekend, but he’s done a good job.

Oscar Piastri noted

Anything can happen on Sunday at the Hungaroring as Charles Leclerc will definitely be desperate to hold onto his lead in the race. Oscar Piastri is right behind the pole sitter and will leave no stones unturned to trump the leader of the pack. Time will tell if Piastri manages to lead the race heading into Turn 1 or if Leclerc’s experience helps him hold onto the lead long enough until the race win.

Also Read: “It Doesn’t Matter,” Frustrated Max Verstappen Gives up on Hungarian GP After Dismal Qualifying