Oscar Piastri believes he «hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career» when analysing his weekend performance in Monaco, as he conceded that it «was going to be tough» to beat team mate Lando Norris to pole.
The Drivers’ Championship leader will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from third on the grid having been beaten by Norris and practice pacesetter Charles Leclerc in the final reckoning.
Piastri has endured a scrappy weekend in general, which included tapping the wall on the exit of Rascasse in Qualifying and colliding head-on with the tyre wall at Sainte Devote in FP2 which caused a red flag.
«I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career, so it’s been untidy,» said Piastri.
P3 Piastri admits his final push in Qualifying was ‘not quite enough’
«Just been struggling to get into the groove a bit. I think in Qualifying I was much happier with things and I felt pretty good. We’ve been doing some digging this weekend and to come out with this result is a decent effort.»
Piastri’s final attempt left him 0.175s behind the best lap from Norris, which is only the Briton’s second pole position of the season and first since the Australia season-opener.
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the Qualifying action as Norris denies home hero Leclerc pole position in Monaco
Piastri finished second on the streets of Monte Carlo 12 months ago having missed out on pole position, and admitted this time of a small error on his best lap.
«Intense, as it always is around here,» said the Australian when asked how he had coped with Qualifying.
«Quite reminiscent of last year to be honest – my first lap felt good and then the second lap… a mistake in the Harbour chicane and I left a little bit out there.
«To beat Lando today was going to be tough. Well done to him. Still pretty happy. It’s been a pretty messy weekend so far so to come out with a lap that I thought was pretty good in third is a decent result.»
McLaren sit in a strong position ahead of Sunday’s race
While pole is an advantageous position in Monaco due to the difficulty in overtaking, some hope for Piastri comes with a mandated two-stop race for the first time, in order to provide more excitement and differing strategies throughout the field.
With two McLarens inside the top three, Piastri admitted that the team would consider how best to work together between its drivers.
EXPLAINED: What is the new two-stop rule for the Monaco Grand Prix – and how will it work?
«We have thought about it but a lot depends on where you qualify,» he said.
«We’re in good positions obviously, but it’s still going to be an exciting race tomorrow with the two stops. Let’s see what happens.»
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