Piastri has a lot of work to do in the race…
Oscar Piastri will start the Formula 1 Mexico City GP from 17th GP after what he called “a very silly mistake” late in Q1.
The McLaren driver ran wide at Turn 12 and had his lap deleted, but he actually lost time going off, and ultimately it wouldn’t have got him into Q2 anyway.
He stayed out on track and did another quick lap, but his tyres were past their best. While he did go marginally faster than on the previous run, it was only good enough for 17th.
“We didn’t have to, but it felt like a very sensible decision to do that,” he said when asked by this writer about the decision to continue on the same tyres.
“I think I just had very, very little grip on that second lap, which was a shame. But I shouldn’t have even needed it.
“Obviously frustrating, because the pace looks very strong, and I felt comfortable. Just tried a bit too much in Turn 12, and it bit me hard. I lost pretty much a second. So it would have been comfortably through.”
After a difficult start on Friday Piastri was adamant that he was in good shape come Saturday.
“FP3 was very strong, even FP2,” he said. “FP1, I struggled a bit. But FP2 I think we made some really good changes, and I was comfortable. FP3, very comfortable as well.
“And even in qualifying, it felt good, just a very silly mistake, trying a bit too hard in Q1. So that was it. At least I know where it all went wrong, but it still is painful stood here.”
Last year Lando Norris started 19th and finished fifth, showing that it is possible to come through the field at this track.
“Try and get back into the points and strongly into the points, hopefully,” he said when asked about his target for Sunday.
“We’re trying to draw inspiration from Lando’s race last year and see what we can do. I think it’s going to be tough, because the field looks reasonably tight, I would say. But, yeah, I think we’ve got some pace on board this weekend to try and use it to get through.”
Piastri is a step behind Norris on spec, having stuck with the old wing in Austin and then the old floor in Mexico when his team mate upgraded both times.
The Australian didn’t want to use the wing difference as an excuse last week, and again he downplayed the impact of the floor.
Asked if it had generated performance he said: “A little bit yes. Obviously you hope your newer parts are quicker than your old ones!
“As far as I’m aware, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do, but it’s certainly not the same kind of upgrades that we’ve seen in the past, even for the floor.
“So yes, it’s a small time loss, but it doesn’t really matter when you make mistakes like that.”
Adam Cooper F1 