Oscar Piastri’s pit stop error cost him a potential win at the Belgian Grand Prix.
- Piastri’s 4.4 second stop was a significant setback in his race against Mercedes.
- Despite finishing third, Piastri was elevated to second due to George Russell’s disqualification.
- Andrea Stella acknowledged McLaren’s consistent performance despite occasional errors.
- The focus remains on closing the gap to Red Bull with 42 points now separating the teams.
In a dramatic turn of events at Spa, Oscar Piastri’s slight miscalculation during a pit stop proved costly. Overshooting his pit box, Piastri’s 4.4-second stop hindered his chances of competing against Mercedes’ George Russell for the top position. Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed that without this blunder, Piastri might have been in a strong position to challenge for a win.
The race ended with Piastri crossing the line in third place, but he was soon elevated to second following the disqualification of Russell due to a technical infringement. The Mercedes driver’s car was underweight, handing Piastri a fortuitous podium boost.
Reflecting on the incident, Stella explained how crucial pit stop precision is, suggesting that the delay cost them valuable time in the race. He remarked, “Oscar said immediately in the in-lap on the radio, ‘apologies for the pit stop’.” This admission indicates Piastri’s awareness of the missed opportunity caused by the error.
This pit stop challenge was not unique to Piastri, as teammate Lando Norris faced a similar issue in a previous race. Stella noted the importance of working with both drivers to ensure no repeat of such costly errors. This attention to detail and learning from mistakes is crucial for maintaining their competitive edge.
Despite these hiccups, McLaren’s consistent performance throughout the season has seen them close the gap on Red Bull. With 10 races left, the team stands 42 points behind Red Bull. Stella is optimistic, emphasizing their reliability and ability to score points consistently, saying that gaining points on Red Bull was a positive outcome from the race.
McLaren remains focused on refining their race strategies and pit stop precision as they aim to close the gap on their rivals.
