Oscar Piastri acknowledged that McLaren made a step forward during Friday’s running at the 2025 F1 Canadian GP, though he admitted there is still room for improvement. After finishing 14th in Free Practice 1 (FP1), the Australian climbed to sixth in FP2 as conditions evolved.
Piastri noted the team’s gradual progress over the course of the day:
“It definitely ended better than it started, but I think still some improvements to try and make. It’s been a little bit of a tricky day, just trying to find the right window of the car. I think we’re getting there but we still need to find a bit more.”
The Canadian circuit, known for its low-grip surface and frequent use of kerbs, provided a unique challenge for drivers and engineers alike. Piastri acknowledged that navigating the setup window would be key moving forward.
Tyre strategy and setup still in focus
In addition to fine-tuning the car’s balance, tyre selection remains an open question heading into Saturday’s sessions. Piastri highlighted the ongoing discussions within the team regarding the best compound to use for the various 2025 F1 Canadian GP sessions:
“The competition looks close, also just knowing what tyres to use is an interesting discussion at the moment, so I’m sure we’ll see how we can find a bit more tomorrow.”
Encouraging signs from new parts
Turning his attention to the performance of the latest upgrades, Piastri struck a confident tone. While he agreed that more could be found, he confirmed the parts have behaved as anticipated:
“I think the new parts have done what we expected them to, but hopefully we can find a bit more. I think we made a good step from FP1 to FP2, and just need to try and make the same step again, I guess. No alarm bells, just trying to get the car in a better window and get me in a better window.”
With both drivers acknowledging areas for improvement, McLaren will now focus on refining their setup ahead of Qualifying, aiming to close the gap to front-runners Mercedes and maximise the potential of their latest developments.
