Oscar Piastri is firm in his stance that his win at the Hungarian Grand Prix wasn’t handed to him, despite the controversy involving McLaren’s team orders.
Oscar Piastri has been vocal about the validity of his maiden Formula 1 victory in Hungary. Despite leading most of the race, his teammate Lando Norris emerged ahead after the final pitstop. However, McLaren subsequently instructed Norris to let Piastri pass. Although initially reluctant, Norris eventually complied. This sequence of events led to speculations about the legitimacy of Piastri’s win.
Piastri addressed these speculations, stating, “I feel like I deserved it, I certainly don’t feel like it was given to me or anything like that. That’s not to say there’s not things I could still do better.” He emphasized that the team’s strategy was based on full trust and that the pitstop order was a strategic decision considering their 1-2 position and the cars behind them.
The Australian also shared that he hasn’t discussed the incident directly with Norris but hinted at maintaining a collegial relationship by mentioning a friendly game of Monopoly over a McDonald’s takeaway. Piastri expressed confidence that McLaren won’t alter their approach to team orders, saying, “There is an expectation that we’re going to race each other hard, but fair and never come into contact.”
Piastri is also open to reversing roles if needed in the future. “If they need me to be a team player and try and help Lando, then of course I’ll do that,” he stated, showcasing his willingness to support McLaren’s broader goals. His focus remains on scoring the most points for the team, aiming for the constructors’ championship.
In conclusion, Piastri stands by his performance and the result at the Hungarian Grand Prix, viewing it as a deserved victory. He remains committed to being a team player and contributing to McLaren’s success in the future.
Piastri remains resolute in defending his Hungarian GP win and displays a readiness to support his team and teammate in future races.
