Piastri frustrated as "things that we couldn't control" cost him in Vegas

08:05, 22 Nov

Updated: 08:48, 22 Nov

byLuke-John Buckle

Oscar Piastri will start the Las Vegas Grand Prix from fifth on the grid, and the Australian feels he suffered from factors he couldn't control in qualifying.

"At least I can say the pace was good out there. Felt pretty good in Q3. Just things that we couldn't control."

- Oscar Piastri

The Australian driver could only secure fifth on the grid and is behind his title rival, Lando Norris, who stormed to pole position.

Piastri is under significant pressure in the world championship battle, and the McLaren driver is now 24 points behind Norris with three rounds to go.

The McLaren driver explained he felt fast out on the circuit but was hindered by a yellow flag during his final run in Q3.

Piastri told F1TV: "I got a yellow flag, and that was pretty much the end of it. We were quick. There was no doubt about that.

"Just one way or another, things seemed to not be going the way I want at the moment. At least I can say the pace was good out there. Felt pretty good in Q3. Just things that we couldn't control."

Piastri added that he feels things not falling his way isn't a recurring theme, and there isn't much he can do about it.

The Australian added: "In that session, things didn't go my way, but there's been plenty of things that could have gone my way previously.

"I don't feel like it's a recurring theme, so to speak. Just a tough one to take when it looked like we were on for a good result. So can't do much about it, unfortunately."

Photo: RacePictures

Piastri is on the back foot in the title battle

Piastri led the world championship standings for the majority of the season but is now 24 points off the pace.

The Australian driver has a very limited amount of time to turn the situation around with three Grands Prix to go.

In Las Vegas, Piastri also faces an uphill battle as the McLaren driver starts from fifth on the grid and Norris is on pole.

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