Post by : Maya Rahman

Oscar Piastri’s pursuit of his first victory since August took a hit as he qualified in fifth place amid rainy conditions at the Las Vegas Grand Prix session on Friday. The Australian driver will face a tough challenge in the race scheduled for Saturday, with his McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris starting in pole position for the third consecutive event.

With just two races left after Las Vegas and a potential total of 58 points remaining, Norris leads Piastri by 24 points in the championship standings. Piastri has been out-paced by Norris in the last three races and has faced defeats in six consecutive heats, putting additional pressure on him to close the points gap in Nevada. Nevertheless, Piastri remains optimistic about his chances in the upcoming race.

“There were a few operational issues right at the start of the lap that could’ve been handled better,” Piastri commented. “I’m not certain how much time we could have improved, but I know we had more potential there. Our car is strong in varying conditions, and I hope to improve my position during the race.” Piastri’s most recent victory was at the Netherlands Grand Prix in August, and he’s eager to reclaim that winning momentum.

Team principal Andrea Stella remarked that Piastri might have clinched third place behind Max Verstappen, had he not encountered a yellow flag during his final lap. “It was a bit unfortunate for Oscar to meet a yellow flag at a critical moment. P3 was within reach, but P5 is still a commendable spot to start. We have a competitive car this season,” he stated. Stella emphasized that Las Vegas has historically posed challenges for McLaren, but recent investments in understanding the track have been fruitful.

Looking ahead to race day, Piastri aims to optimize his performance and potentially finish on the podium. Both he and Norris will be looking to make the most of their cars in the anticipated demanding night race on the Nevada street circuit. The challenging wet conditions during qualifying tested the drivers’ skills and control, and Piastri is determined to transform his fifth-place start into a positive race outcome.

Despite the qualifying setback, McLaren remains hopeful. The team has demonstrated strong performance in both wet and dry conditions, and Piastri's car is geared up for race day success. “We’re committed to aiming for a podium finish with both cars,” Stella remarked, highlighting the team’s resolve to acquire vital championship points.

Piastri’s fifth-place qualifying underscores the fierce competition he faces, especially against teammate Norris and leading drivers in Formula One, particularly under challenging circumstances like those in Las Vegas. Although qualifying didn't go as he had hoped, the Australian is focused on the race, intent on gaining positions, amassing points, and keeping his championship ambitions alive.

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