Formula 1: Piastri Excited to Achieve First Pole After Initial Hurdles in China GP Qualifying
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Synopsis
Oscar Piastri celebrated his first Formula 1 pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix, overcoming earlier challenges during qualifying. After a solid performance in Saturday's Sprint, Piastri showed strong pace, ultimately securing provisional pole in Q3 and finishing with a remarkable achievement, while teammate Lando Norris faced ups and downs.
Key Takeaways
- Oscar Piastri achieved his first Formula 1 pole position.
- He struggled in Q1 and Q2 but found pace in Q3.
- Teammate Lando Norris experienced mixed results.
- Norris acknowledged his mistakes during qualifying.
- The McLaren team showed overall improvements.
Shanghai, March 23 (NationPress) Oscar Piastri was thrilled to secure his inaugural Formula 1 pole position during the Qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix, despite acknowledging earlier challenges in the session. Following a strong performance in Saturday’s Sprint, the Australian driver maintained impressive form in Qualifying, achieving a provisional pole in Q3 and ultimately solidifying it by the time the chequered flag was waved.
When asked about his performance after exiting the car, Piastri, 23, humorously remarked, “I’m glad it looked like that because it didn’t feel like that!”
“In Q3, I discovered a lot of speed – I genuinely struggled in Q1 and Q2. The car came alive in Q3, and I felt I did too. I’m pleased with the end result, though the laps were a bit rough. I’m just excited to be on pole, so I’m very happy,” said the McLaren driver.
In contrast, fellow McLaren teammate Lando Norris encountered a mixed bag during Saturday's qualifying in Shanghai. He managed to secure the final point with P8 in the Sprint but had to abort his final flying lap in Q3 during Qualifying, preventing him from improving his time and leaving him in P3.
Norris expressed positivity about the advancements made to the car before Qualifying and attributed his struggles to personal mistakes. “I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole, but Oscar earned it today. He performed exceptionally well all weekend, so I’m happy for him – his first pole in Formula 1 is always exciting.”
“I made a few mistakes again this weekend. The car felt improved, and I was much more comfortable compared to yesterday, where I struggled significantly. So, we’re heading in a much better direction. I’m not too disappointed,” added Lando.
