Piastri brands McLaren strategic Qatar GP blunder 'tough to swallow'

18:52, 30 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

Oscar Piastri did everything right in Qatar, but it was only enough for P2, behind race winner Max Verstappen.

"It's not all bad. It's been a really good weekend and the pace has been very strong. Obviously it's a little bit tough to swallow at the moment."

- Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri finished in second place at the Qatar Grand Prix behind Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and ahead of Lando Norris in fourth place. Photo: RacePictures.

Whereas Red Bull Racing opted to call Verstappen into the pits on lap 7 following the Safety Car triggered by the incident between Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren were chose to leave both Piastri and Lando Norris out.

"Clearly we didn't get it right tonight," Piastri said after the race in Doha, Qatar.

"I drove the best race that I could and as fast as I could. There was nothing left out there.

"I tried my best but it wasn't to be tonight unfortunately," a visibly upset Piastri added.

Regarding McLaren's decision not to pit him when the Safety Car came out, Piastri said: "I think in hindsight it's pretty obvious what we would have done, but I'm sure we'll discuss it as a team.

"It's not all bad. It's been a really good weekend and the pace has been very strong.

"Obviously it's a little bit tough to swallow at the moment," he concluded.

Piastri now sits P3 in the Standings behind leader and teammate Lando Norris, and Verstappen who's now taken P2.

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