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Oscar Piastri has said that McLaren no longer ‘have to rely on high-speed circuits’ like they did last year.
Oscar Piastri stands on the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix after a second-place finish (Image Credit: Getty Images)The Australian driver achieved his first podium finish of the season in the windy streets of Monaco, taking the chequered flag in second place. McLaren have claimed five podium finishes this year, including their first Grand Prix win since 2021 which was achieved at the Miami Grand Prix.
Following a disappointing start to the 2023 season, the Woking-based outfit brought a set of upgrades to that year’s Austrian Grand Prix that saw the team’s fortunes turn on its head. After eight race weekends, the British team sat a lowly sixth in the championship standings on just 17 points. However, from Austria onwards, the team claimed an impressive 285 points, averaging 20.3 per race. McLaren finished the season fourth in the World Constructors’ Championship Standings with a sense of what could have been if they had a better start to their year.
Unlike last season, that is not a concern for McLaren in 2024. After eight race weekends this season, the team currently sit on 184 points, more than half of what they achieved in the whole of 2023.
Becoming a jack of all trades
After another impressive weekend, this time in Monte Carlo, Oscar Piastri spoke about how the team have adapted to be quick on different types of tracks:
“I think it’s been three very different circuits in the past three races, and we’ve been competitive at all of them,” Piastri said to media including PlanetF1.
“Miami was probably one of our worst circuits before this year. Imola has always been kind to us, but we had a very strong weekend there, and here’s been… Let’s say our car’s never been the strongest in the slow corners, and this weekend we’ve been very quick again.”
The Australian driver also spoke about the team’s exciting future and how they are no longer relying on certain tracks:
“So I think we can be confident wherever we go. I feel like we don’t have to rely on the high-speed circuits like we did last year to get our results, which is a very exciting thing to have going forward.”
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? ? ? ?The podium streak hits four… pic.twitter.com/fBPhIbkoIx
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 27, 2024
The podium finish was Piastri’s third in Formula 1, although had the Australian not picked up early damage, he believes he could have been in with a chance of his first grand prix victory.
An even brighter future?
With McLaren impressing at a circuit that they are not normally competitive in the Monaco Grand Prix, it gives the team great optimism for the future. Since last year’s turn in form, they have been regular podium contenders, and McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella is hoping that will continue.
In the team’s race report, he spoke on a satisfying weekend and what the future may hold:
“For us, well done to the entire team for delivering a fast car, and to the trackside team, for being always on the ball, managing some intense operational moments this weekend – from clearing Lando’s car of debris during Qualifying, to dealing with a difficult Red Flag situation today”, Stella said reflecting on the weekend.
“It’s an important result here in Monaco, with Oscar scoring an impressive podium and Lando right behind on a circuit that we weren’t certain would suit our car. It’s a lot of points – but also evidence that we can be regular contenders for the podium. We look at the coming races with optimism.”
McLaren’s next opportunity to impress is at the Canadian Grand Prix. Track action commences at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 7th.
Feature Image Credit: @McLarenF1 on X