Piastri unfazed by warnings, remains firm in Senna-like title battle approach

15:49, 16 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Oscar Piastri leads the driver championship battle from McLaren teammate Lando Norris. However, the gap could've grown had he won the Hungarian Grand Prix, which he tried to do with a bold manoeuvre that he has no regrets over.

Speaking after the race, the Australian believes the late move into Turn 1 on Norris did not hinder his chances to essentially beat his teammate to the win in Hungary.

"Not that much, I don't think. I was able to close the gap again pretty quickly for the last lap.

"But it's kind of like I said, getting to within six or seven tenths was doable, but to then get even closer than that, I think I needed brand new Softs to be able to do much from that point."

Piastri 'a la Senna', and makes no qualms about it

The move reminiscent of the ardent McLaren rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the late 80's, causes no headaches for Piastri.

Admitting it 'was always going to be tough when I got close,' the Australian rebuked any thought of having a safe approach to his championship charge.

"But, I mean, you never want to not take an opportunity that you think is there in case another one never comes up. So, I had to go for it," Piastri explained.

"In hindsight, obviously you can say maybe I should have waited another lap, but I'm pretty convinced that even if I had waited one more lap, it wouldn't have changed anything," he concluded.