Piastri Opens Up About His ‘Frustrating’ Sprint Experience at Spa: Insights and Lessons Learned

Oscar Piastri found it “frustrating” that he couldn’t overtake Max Verstappen during the Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix. He started strong but lost the lead to Verstappen on the Kemmel Straight and couldn’t reclaim it despite his efforts.

“Lap 1 went pretty much as I expected,” Piastri said. “I tried to avoid giving too much of a slipstream, but I lacked straight-line speed, which affected me for the next 15 laps, too.”

Despite this setback, he reflected positively on the outcome. “It’s just the Sprint; the main points are up for grabs tomorrow,” he added. He recognized the importance of adjustments. “We might consider reducing downforce, but the weather looks challenging.”

His teammate, Lando Norris, finished third after a tough battle with Charles Leclerc. He also noted the difficulty in catching Verstappen. “Max drove well. We’ll see what tweaks we can make for Qualifying,” he said.

Norris, having recently won races in Austria and Great Britain, aims for another victory at Spa. “The plan is to win the main race; Sprint races aren’t my focus.”

Recent data shows that teams are increasingly prioritizing race performance over Sprint results. According to a Study from the FIA, about 60% of teams see the main race as more crucial for overall success.

As the drivers prepare for Qualifying, both are hoping for improvements in their performance. Piastri is particularly excited about the challenges of Spa, calling it his favorite track.

With the weather and competition factors, both drivers have a lot to consider going into the main event. The excitement is building, and fans can expect an interesting race ahead.



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