Oscar Piastri confident as McLaren find stride in Formula 1 front-runner status
Oscar Piastri of team McLaren
Oscar Piastri is optimistic about McLaren's evolving position on the Formula 1 grid, as the team steadily adapt to their newfound competitiveness.
The Woking-based squad, which initially faced challenges this season, have executed significant car developments, propelling them to the second-fastest team behind Red Bull Racing.
In the past 11 races, drivers Piastri and Lando Norris have secured an impressive nine podium finishes. Despite their initial setback, they are poised to conclude the season in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, a testament to McLaren's resilience and progress throughout the year.
The team's journey to the forefront has been a notable shift, considering its struggles as a midfield runner since Zak Brown took over as CEO in 2018. Piastri, in reflecting on McLaren's transformation, expressed his belief in the team's ability to compete at the front.
"I always had belief in the team that if we had a car capable of fighting at the front, we would be ready to do it," Piastri shared with the media. "Now we're slowly getting more and more comfortable with being at the front. Instead of referring to some of the other teams as the top teams, they are our competitors now."
Key to McLaren's resurgence is the improved correlation between factory data and on-track performance. Piastri emphasized the significance of this synergy, stating, "It's been one hell of a turnaround, definitely. The development and progress from the car side of things, in particular, has been incredible."
He highlighted the success of recent upgrades, noting their immediate impact on performance. "The first upgrade we put on really gave us an extra step in performance, and everything else since has done the same. All the numbers that we expected were basically the same in real life, which you can't always take for granted. I think it's been remarkable."
Looking ahead, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 16-18, poses an exciting challenge for McLaren. The 14-turn street circuit promises top speeds of around 342 kilometres per hour, rivalling iconic tracks like Monza.
As McLaren continue their upward trajectory, the team, once considered a midfield contender, are now firmly establishing themselves among F1's frontrunners.
Read More: McLaren on guard as Aston Martin threaten late-season comeback (planetsport.com)
