Photo by Peter Fox – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri talked about the new reality this season ahead of the United States Grand Prix
AUSTIN — During Thursday’s FIA Press Conference, Lando Norris talked about the adjusted expectations at McLaren. After getting off to a somewhat slow start, the Woking-based operation has rocketed to the top of the Formula 1 standings, leading the Constructors’ Championship with six race weekends left. As for himself, Norris keeps chipping away at Drivers’ Championship leader Max Verstappen, and heads into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix just 52 points behind the Red Bull driver in that chase. Over a calendar year, McLaren has gone from a team near the back of the pack to a true title contender.
Moments later in his own media session, Norris’ McLaren teammate outlined how indeed the expectations have changed in Woking.
“I think we should be a lot stronger than last year here. Hopefully we’ve proven this year being consistent a lot of circuits,” said Piastri to the media, including SB Nation on Thursday. “So hopefully that doesn’t change here.
“I think now going into any weekend expecting to be fighting for anything less than a win is, in some ways, a slightly disappointing performance. So that’s kind of the expectation.”
Piastri also addressed questions about potentially helping Norris in his pursuit of Verstappen, and the Australian driver noted that his top priority is putting in the best performance possible.
If there is a way to help Norris as well, then all the better for the team.
“So, there’s a lot of things that I want to try and work on from the last time I was here 12 months ago. You know, Austin, I did five laps in the race,” started Piastri. “So I started a lot of things to sort of improve and figure out, but definitely just trying to improve and finish as high as I can.
“You know, I think naturally if I do a good enough job then that’ll be firstly giving myself a good result. But if it’s a position to help Lando then that works as well.
“So, yeah, if the car’s capable of winning, which we hope it will be, then I wanna try and win and if I can’t win, then I want to finish second.
“If I can’t finish second, I want to finish third,” continued Piastri. “So just trying to perform as best as I can, and if it means that, you know, my finishing position helps out in the championship, then that helps too.”
Piastri also addressed recent comments from Verstappen, who told Autosport that Piastri was “definitely not” a number two driver, but rather “just a great driver who doesn’t deserve to give up wins and positions and play second fiddle because he’s asked to.”
While Piastri appreciated the support, he noted that he does not view the situation in a similar light. Results, rather than labels, are what matter.
“So, you know, I think in my position, I don’t see it as being a number one, number two,” began Piastri. “I mean, Baku was a perfect example of, you know, not giving up everything this season too purely for a benefit or for Lando.
“So it’s not, you know, simply number one, number two,” continued Piastri. “We still have the same car. We still have the same opportunities and in, you know, last weekend Lando did a better job than me and won the race.
“I appreciate [Verstappen’s] support, but it’s not really how I feel.”
Piastri will get his chance to improve on his difficult 2023 United States Grand Prix starting Friday, with the single practice session ahead of qualifying for the F1 Sprint Race.
