Piastri himself could laugh about it, after that comment that, according to the journalist in question, Brazilian fans think he is being disadvantaged internally. “No, that is not the case. It is clear that the last few weekends have been a bit more difficult for me, but I think it is all explainable.”
After the last race in Mexico, Piastri said it was a ‘mystery’ why he was so much slower than the new World Cup leader Norris. “But I now know what to do,” said Piastri, without going into too much detail. “What worked for most of this season clearly did not work in recent weeks. I think I am now better prepared, better know which tools I have to use it to adapt to certain situations and better understand what the car and tires need, for example.”
What does Oscar Piastri say after Jos Verstappen’s comments?
Piastri was also asked directly about Jos Verstappen’s comments and in particular Verstappen senior’s statement that the Australian should stand up for himself internally. “I think that at McLaren we are always open and honest with each other. And we can also say whether we think something is fair and whether the right decisions have been made. From that point of view, we can certainly stand up for ourselves, individually. I feel comfortable with that. And that is also encouraged by the team.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown does not want to choose between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the F1 title: ‘Then I would rather lose the world title to Max Verstappen’
Piastri added that a title battle between two teammates automatically creates a certain ‘dynamic’. “But I respect the fact that it gives teams both of us the opportunity to fight for the title.”