Piastri rues Hamilton impeding in qualifying: 'It was quite frustrating'

Shortly ago, the stewards handed the seven-time world champion a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's race. As a result, teammate Charles Leclerc will now line up alongside Lando Norris on the front row, while Piastri also gains a position and will start fourth on the second row.

Speaking to GPBlog among other media after qualifying, Piastri described the impeding by Hamilton as a significant setback, explaining that he spotted the Ferrari from the start-finish line and expected it to move aside, only for it to remain in his path until he was forced to avoid contact.

The Australian also admitted the weekend proved more challenging than expected, pointing to his absence from FP1 as a bigger disadvantage than he initially anticipated. With track conditions changing considerably compared to previous sessions, he said it took him longer to build confidence and get up to speed.

Speaking after qualifying, Hamilton explained that he was only informed about Piastri's approach when the McLaren driver was already at the apex behind him, leaving him with virtually no time to react.

The Ferrari driver said he had been the first to leave the pit lane and believed the cars behind had already completed their laps, adding that, to the best of his knowledge, Charles Leclerc had been the car directly behind him when he exited the pits. He therefore had no indication that Piastri was still on a flying lap and stressed that the incident was never intentional.