Oscar Piastri has predicted a close battle for victory at this weekend’s F1 Saudi Arabian GP.
Following his dominant win in Bahrain last weekend, Oscar Piastri has indicated he and McLaren may have a more challenging weekend in Jeddah. The MCL39 has proved an unpredictable car to drive, however, speaking in a session on Media Day in Saudi Arabia, Piastri said he had no concerns of managing the car’s quirks.
“I’m not too concerned, to be honest. I think it’s the fact that there’s a lot of grip, very high speed as well, which, you know, if you’re having any moments in the high speed, it really matters what kind of car it is.
If you’re pushing a bit too hard, or you’ve got a front-end car, so I’m not too concerned. I think it’s a track I’ve always enjoyed, so I’m happy with it. You made your car a very good look after the real tight turns.
Who will be the main rival for Oscar Piastri at the F1 Saudi Arabian GP?
Piastri would not fully predict if McLaren’s dominant position would be under threat this weekend. He did state however, that the characteristics of Jeddah could play into the hands of his rivals, as well as his own car.
“It’s a bit hard to say at the moment. I think in China, it was a track that was very tight-limited, especially on Saturday, and we were still very quick, so I’m not overly concerned.
“With such a high level of grip around here, that is something that wouldn’t save us in the last couple of years, and I feel like this year that will potentially save some others. So I’m expecting it to be pretty tight around here as well. It’s a layout and track that’s similar in corner speeds to somewhere like Suzuka for the most part.
“We’ll see if Red Bull are back in the fight, or if anyone else challenges us, but I expect us to be quick, but it’s our decision.
Qualifying proving for crucial for Oscar Piastri in 2025
With wheel-to-wheel racing proving difficult to produce this season, qualifying has become vital. When asked how he improved his qualifying performances compared to 2024, Piastri highlighted the difference in results.
“I hope so, but I think the hard work we’ve been putting in definitely has been making a difference.
I think I’ve felt comfortable qualifying and felt like I’ve taken a bit of a step up
“Last year it wasn’t much that I often missed out by, but this year I’ve had a couple of qualifyings just on the wrong side of that gap still, but also more qualifying on the right side of that gap now.
“It’s been a lot of hard work in a lot of different areas, trying to get those last few hundredths of a second, and I think it has been paid off.
Will a bad qualifying lead to a frustrating Saudi Arabian GP?
When asked how a good qualifying performance impacts the equal treatment McLaren is offering both drivers on race day, Piastri maintained a good Saturday was crucial to success on a Sunday.
“Qualifying is incredibly important, I think regardless of the kind of intro team dynamics that that can stop preferences and whatever that causes, just the power of clean air is so important.
“So I think regardless of that, you always want to be qualifying at the front, but with two drivers in the same car, I think at a very similar pace, whenever you can be ahead it’s a pretty major advantage.
“So it is going to be important to have good qualifying, but I’ve seen in the past that it’s not always everything in other areas where you can make up the difference.
The Australian quickly shut down any thoughts that his McLaren is adversely affected by dirty air when racing rivals.
“Not necessarily. I think everybody struggles with it. But I think it’s pretty similar for most of the teams. We saw in China, I think the Ferrari was very quick through the whole weekend and they also struggled to get through the dirty air.
“So I think it’s just a great wide problem. I don’t think it’s specific to us. I don’t really plan on testing it too many times, hopefully, but I think it is just difficult for everybody with more and more downforce.
