Oscar Piastri has voiced concerns over his treatment at the F1 Japanese GP after securing the final place on the podium.
Oscar Piastri was unable to move forward during the race, unable to pass team-mate Lando Norris.
But, considerably faster than Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, the Australian found himself in an lose-lose situation.
Asking McLaren several times to swap positions with Norris during the race, these requests were rebuffed.
Speaking in Parc Ferme after the race, Piastri admitted his fate was effectively sealed after qualifying.
“Yes, correct. I think the pace today was really, really good. And I was very happy with that. Obviously got close a few times and tried to man the challenge.
“But the track position around here is just so important. So, I think yesterday was the day where you effectively won the race and didn’t do a good enough job. So, I’ll take the podium.
“I think there’s still a lot of positives to take out this weekend. I think the pace was mega. Next time I just need to make sure I’m in a better position to use it.
Oscar Piastri wants to know McLaren’s ‘plan’
When asked why he was the first to pit, Piastri said he had begun to struggle with his tyres ahead of his stop.
“Great question. I think for me it was more trying to just cover the guys behind. I was starting to struggle a little bit on the medium. And, you know, was in the window to take a pit stop anyway. So, yeah, that was kind of the thinking there.
And, I’ll speak to the team about what their plan was with it. But I think it was a good strategy and we’re kind of a bit in no man’s land.
Piastri also revealed the scope of the conversation with McLaren over swapping with Norris when he had the faster car.
“There wasn’t much, to be honest. I think for me I felt like I had really strong pace and felt like if I had the track position I could go and get Max.
“But, you know, that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately.
“So, I at least asked the question and, I think that was a fair response. So, no, I think it was a good race and that’s how want to go racing.”
