Piastri insists pace in Japan was ‘mega’ as he explains McLaren’s ‘fair’ response in battle with Norris

Oscar Piastri insisted his pace in the Japanese Grand Prix was «mega», despite following Max Verstappen and Lando Norris home in third place, while he also conceded McLaren were «fair» not to intervene in the battle with his team mate.

Verstappen stunned onlookers on Saturday when he secured pole position for Red Bull, and after successfully fending off the McLaren pair into Turn 1 at the race start, it was always going to be a difficult task to overcome the Dutchman on a track where he has performed so well historically.

Running in dirty air and around 1.5s back on the leader for the majority of the race, Norris failed to make any noticeable gains on the reigning World Champion, while Piastri was dropping back to cool his tyres, then steaming to within DRS range of his team mate, highlighting the pace he had in reserve.

In the closing stages, Piastri asked if their positions could be swapped to give him the chance to chase down Verstappen, but ultimately the two McLaren drivers held their spots.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing — Piastri felt he had the pace to close down Verstappen where team mate Norris could not

Asked how much of a debate there had been on the subject of team orders, Piastri said after the race: “There wasn’t much, to be honest.

“I think for me, I felt like I had really strong pace and if I had the track position, I could go and get Max. But that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately.

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“I at least asked the question, and I think that was a fair response. That was a good race, and that’s how we want to go racing.”

In a race that saw the top six all finish in the positions in which they started, and the only positional change in the top 10 being Lewis Hamilton overtaking Isack Hadjar, Qualifying proved ultimately decisive for the race result.

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“Yes, correct,” answered Piastri when asked if his fate had been sealed in the Saturday session.

“I think the pace today was really, really good, and I was very happy with that. Obviously, I got close a few times and tried to mount a challenge, but the track position around here is just so important.

“Yesterday was the day where you effectively won the race, and I didn’t do a good enough job. I’ll take the podium – I think there’s still a lot of positives to take out of this weekend. I think the pace was mega. Next time, I just need to make sure I’m in a better position to use it.”