Oscar Piastri secured a commendable third-place finish in the F1 US Sprint Qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas. Despite trailing pole-sitter Max Verstappen by 0.4 seconds and his teammate Lando Norris by 0.3 seconds, Piastri expressed some satisfaction.
Acknowledging the margin
In an interview following the F1 US GP Sprint Qualifying session, Piastri was asked about the 0.4-second deficit to pole and 0.3-second gap to Norris. He acknowledged the margin, attributing it to a “pretty scruffy lap” and identified several areas where he could improve.
The McLaren driver said: “Yeah, in quite a few places, I think. A pretty scruffy lap, to be honest, I think. Yeah, just didn’t really get it together.”
Despite the minor setbacks, Piastri remained optimistic about his prospects for the upcoming sprint race.
“So in some ways, yeah, I feel a bit fortunate to be third. But I think the pace in the car is good. And, you know, it’s nothing major.”
Strategy for the Sprint Race
Looking ahead to the sprint race, Piastri was questioned about his approach, especially concerning the tight Turn 1 at the Circuit of the Americas.
He emphasised the importance of a good launch and positioning. “See what happens at the start. You know, if I can get a good launch, then try and put myself in the right spot. Knowing where the right spot is into Turn 1 here is often tricky.”
Piastri’s focus on the start underscores the significance of the initial moments in the sprint race, where positioning can determine the outcome.
Championship Implications
Heading into the sprint race, Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship with a 22-point advantage over teammate Lando Norris. Max Verstappen trails by 63 points. With six races remaining, including the sprint race in Austin, the competition intensifies. Piastri’s consistent performances, including his third-place qualifying result, reinforce his status as the man to beat for now.
