Oscar Piastri outperformed his teammate Lando Norris in the sprint qualifying to secure pole position. However, Piastri had some bad news for the Brit. “I’m going for the win in the sprint race.” A logical response and attitude for a driver, but he could also assist Norris in the title fight.
In the pursuit of Max Verstappen, every point counts in the title fight for Norris to make up some of his 47-point deficit. Team orders, where Piastri would let the Brit pass, could help him. Knowing McLaren, that’s unlikely to happen. Knowing polesitter Piastri, it’s also unlikely: as polesitter, he’s aiming for his own success.
“I want to try to win, yes,” he said after the sprint qualifying. “I do think it will be a different sprint race than, for example, last year. There’s new asphalt now, it remains to be seen how the tire temperature will be… It’s going to be exciting either way.”
The fact that he beat Norris pleases him. Therefore, Piastri can pursue victory. “At first, I struggled in the session, but I felt good and there was increasing grip during the sprint shootout. Securing a pole, especially on such a challenging track, is always nice.
