Championship leader Oscar Piastri is on the eve of the Monaco GP. After having to acknowledge Max Verstappen as his superior in the last showdown in Imola, he hopes to redeem himself in the principality. However, the new pit stop rules could potentially throw a spanner in the works for the Australian. Now that all drivers are required to change tires twice, he expects a complicated race where it will only become more difficult for the top teams.
“I still think that qualifying will determine ninety percent of the race outcome,” Piastri said. “It’s a lot more complicated now. Using three sets of tires is – especially when, like last year, a red flag comes out – easier said than done. It’s certainly an interesting addition, but as long as you start from pole position, I think you’re – barring a disaster – still unbeatable. Of course, some drivers can take a gamble now and then, but it won’t lead to more overtaking – at most to a more complicated race.”
Top Teams to Struggle?
“Pole position is still the best starting position,” Piastri clarified. “It means you can control the race. Last year, if you wanted to, you could also drive ten seconds slower per lap. Now that won’t be possible anymore and you really have to create a gap to the rest. Sometimes it still makes my head spin, especially after all the meetings I’ve had today,” Piastri grinned. “There are now so many different strategies possible.”
“For the top teams, it might be the hardest,” he continued seriously. “The backmarkers can really take risks and count on red flags and safety cars – they have nothing to lose after all.” Regarding the power distribution in Monaco, Piastri is skeptical. “We thought we would be the favorite in Imola, and we all saw how that turned out,” he concluded with a painful smile. “Besides, Ferrari is always good in Monaco, so maybe they can also compete for the win. That being said, we do have confidence in our package.”
