Oscar Piastri acknowledged McLaren had no probability of outpacing George Russell to pole place throughout qualifying on the Method 1 Azerbaijan GP, regardless of discovering some ‘shock’ tempo.
Piastri will begin in third behind Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for Saturday’s race in Baku, with teammate and reigning world champion Lando Norris claiming fifth. It’s the sixth time this season the Australian driver has out-qualified Norris for a Grand Prix.
Piastri welcomes ‘shock’ McLaren tempo
The consequence comes after a tough begin to the weekend for McLaren, who discovered themselves a way down the leaderboard through the earlier free observe periods. The workforce discovered extra tempo throughout Friday’s qualifying session, however had been no match for Russell, whose dominant lap cleared Piastri by greater than eight tenths.
Piastri, nevertheless, was happy by the consequence, with the workforce having introduced a big physique bundle improve forward of the weekend in an try to spice up its straightline pace.
“We discovered a little bit of tempo. It’s not the primary time that’s occurred to us this yr,” he mentioned. “We look like we’re a bit on the again foot via observe.
“We’ve come out in qualifying, and we simply discover that bit additional. I used to be fairly shocked to see us one-two after the primary lap of Q3, however sadly, we had no hope towards George.
“I’m pleased with how the weekend’s gone thus far. It’s by no means simple round right here, particularly when it’s so gusty like in the present day, so I’m very comfortable to be again within the high three.”
Robust winds in Baku could make it tough to foretell the automobiles’ balances, significantly in uncovered components of the observe. Requested how he manages these challenges, Piastri responded: “Truthfully, attempting to maintain it between the strains, the freeway strains down the straights, not simple, particularly it at all times sounds so boring speaking in regards to the wind in a Method 1 automotive, however even when the partitions disappear and also you get a bit extra open, you actually get an enormous gust, so it’s not simple in any respect.
“There’s 30- or 40kph distinction generally between laps, so that you’ve actually bought to be in your toes and adapt on the fly.”
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