Latest Episode | Cut To The Race Podcast
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri was “very happy with the podium” at the Monaco Grand Prix but suggested that early damage in the race cost him a chance at a first win in F1.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, 2nd position, arrives in Parc Ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images)Piastri holds on to second despite damage
Piastri got off the line well, but a brave Carlos Sainz appeared down the inside of the Australian. Both cars went into Turn 1 wheel to wheel, and contact was made, leaving the Ferrari driver with a puncture and the McLaren with a damaged floor.
However, there was a sense of relief for both drivers as a bigger crash behind between the two Haas’ and the Red Bull of Sergio Perez saw a red flag brought out.
Piastri held on to second on the restart and maintained his runner-up spot to the finish due to the difficulties of overtaking around the principality.
Despite being “very happy” with his podium, the McLaren driver admitted that the winding streets of Monte-Carlo made it too difficult to “sneak past” Charles Leclerc in the lead.
Speaking to F1, Piastri said:
“I mean, obviously very happy with the podium; it’s been a great weekend from start to finish, I feel like.
“It’s Nice to finally get a result on the board. I feel like the last few weeks we’ve been very, very strong, with no results to show.
“And today, to finish second is a great result for everybody involved, so very happy with that, I tried my best to try to sneak past – but just too difficult.”
Piastri had ‘no answer’ for Leclerc
Piastri claimed his third career podium and his first of the 2024 season.
WELCOME TO THE MONACO PODIUM, OSCAR! ??
It’s P2 on the Monaco streets for @OscarPiastri! His first podium of the year. ? #MonacoGP ?? #Senna30 pic.twitter.com/y4hmnSChgr
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 26, 2024
However, the Australian was unable to join the exclusive list of winners who have taken victory around the narrow roads.
After the red flag came out, McLaren replaced part of the damage below the side pod, but the damage to the rest of the floor remained, which saw Piastri lose time as the rest of the drivers began to pull away in the closing stages.
“When I saw the floor after the red flag, I thought it was going to be a very, very long race,” added Piastri. “But I think the pace at the beginning was so slow it was helping me out a little bit.
“But then, the last 15 -20 laps, when we started to go, I didn’t have an answer. Clearly, Carlos [Sainz] and Lando [Norris] were quicker behind.
“I was pretty happy we were at Monaco at that point, I think, with the damage and everything considered- happy with P2.”
Featured image: Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images