Oscar Piastri Reveals Shocking Details of Clash with Yuki Tsunoda: “It Didn’t Make Sense!”
In a recent interview, up-and-coming Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has opened up about a heated battle with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris during the Mexico Grand Prix. Piastri believes that the decision to engage in a fierce competition with Norris was questionable, considering the significant damage he had sustained earlier in the race.
The race in Mexico City saw Norris fail to make it into the top 10 during the qualifying session, resulting in a surprising elimination. As a result, Piastri became the sole McLaren representative at the front of the grid.
After successfully navigating through the chaos of the opening lap, Piastri encountered a series of setbacks when he clashed twice with AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda at the first complex. The tension escalated when Tsunoda attempted a daring move around the outside at Turn 1 on Lap 48, but was unable to pass Piastri with the assistance of DRS (Drag Reduction System). This led to a slight contact between the two drivers. Determined not to be deterred, Tsunoda made another attempt to overtake Piastri at Turn 2, resulting in another collision.
The drama didn’t end there. Just one lap later, Tsunoda and Piastri found themselves in another clash when Tsunoda attempted an overtaking maneuver on the outside of Turn 1 once more. This time, the incident left Tsunoda spinning and Piastri with significant damage to his car.
Reflecting on the intense battle with Tsunoda, Piastri described it as “hard racing” but expressed uncertainty about the cause of the final collision. According to Piastri, he was simply braking when the contact occurred, leaving him perplexed about the sequence of events.
Despite his damaged car, Piastri soldiered on but was later instructed by the team to allow Norris, who had made an impressive recovery drive from 17th on the grid, to pass him. Norris eventually finished fifth, a substantial ten seconds ahead of Piastri.
Piastri clarified that the decision to let Norris through was influenced by the realization that his damaged car couldn’t match Norris’ pace. He believed that it was more logical to avoid battling with his teammate and instead focus on securing the best possible outcome for the team. This strategic move paid off as it allowed Norris to gain an additional two positions, ultimately benefiting McLaren.
However, Piastri’s compromised aerodynamic performance due to the damage, coupled with the tire management challenges arising from the intense battle with Tsunoda, meant that he had to settle for eighth place. This was a disappointment for the Australian driver, especially considering his recent consecutive podium finishes at the Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix.
Piastri expressed his dissatisfaction with the eighth-place finish, emphasizing that given the pace of the McLaren car, it was not a result to brag about. His four-point haul was seen as underwhelming, highlighting the team’s continuous quest for improvement.
Looking ahead to the upcoming race in Brazil, Piastri acknowledged the challenges of tackling the Interlagos circuit for the first time in his racing career. Additionally, the format of the race weekend, featuring a Sprint race, added another layer of complexity. Despite this, Piastri remained optimistic and considered the old-school circuit as something intriguing to prepare for.
The young driver also expressed curiosity about the pace of the competition at the Brazilian Grand Prix, further fueling his determination to push for better results.
As Piastri continues to make his mark in the world of Formula 1, fans eagerly anticipate his future battles on the track, hoping for more exhilarating and nail-biting moments that define the essence of this captivating sport.