Oscar Piastri believes that getting his position against Max Verstappen in the start is key to his victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Australian went off the line inside the Polesitter Verstappen, and the defending champion tried to respond outside of Turn 1, but cut Turn 2 and proceeded ahead. The move allowed Verstappen to score a five-second time penalty for taking advantage off the track, allowing Piastri to take the lead during a pit stop, securing his third victory of the season.
“Once we got inside, we weren’t out of turn one in two seconds,” Piastri said. “I did my best. Obviously the stewards had to get involved, but I thought there was plenty. It ended up being a race. I’m very happy with all the work we’ve done at the start. That’s what we won today’s race.
“It was a pretty tough race. It was obviously a very happy win and made a difference in the beginning. I made my case on Turn 1. That was enough. It was really difficult to follow up there. I couldn’t be with Max at the end of the first stint.
“Great race. We raced the right one. I think we still need a little more. Max was a little too close to our taste, but it was a great race and an amazing weekend.”
Piastri felt it was a key move in the race, but he does not see the incident as an important marker for potential championship rivals.
“I mean, it wasn’t specifically for Max, but I knew it would be my horn, so obviously, considering it was Max, it would be a tough fight, but I think the other feet looked the same.
Both McLaren drivers cited the Red Bull pace as impressive, but Piastri claims that there are still car benefits in Jeddah, even if it wasn’t as big as he had predicted.
“I think our car was still fast,” he said. “I think it’s hard to be in the dirty air. Max was certainly faster than I expected in the race. I didn’t think it was that surprising to see Max for a moment, but in the race I didn’t expect to be that hard at the end of the medium stint.
“There’s obviously something to do. I think our car is still very good, but looking at the layout here compared to Suzuka, it’s the most similar so far. I think Max and Red Bull still have advantages.