McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has no doubt Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain the combination to beat this year.
Oscar Piastri holds the belief that none of his F1 competitors will have the confidence to challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull during the initial stages of the upcoming season.
Although Verstappen and his team did not finish at the top of the timesheets during the recent pre-season test in Bahrain, there is a consensus in the paddock that they were in complete control.
The RB20, with its significantly different bodywork compared to its successful predecessor, which won 21 out of 22 races last season, is undeniably an improvement over the RB19. This serves as a foreboding warning for all those involved.
Despite McLaren’s attempts to challenge Red Bull last year after implementing major upgrades on their car in Austria and Singapore, Piastri believes that the team has been unable to narrow the gap over the winter break.
Evaluating whether Red Bull had made progress according to his viewpoint, he expressed, “They don’t appear to be sluggish, to put it simply.
“Max displayed remarkable strength on the first day, and Sergio [Perez, on the last day] seemed to be more at ease compared to before.
“They are the team that others need to surpass. I cannot precisely determine the extent of their advantage, but it is likely sufficient…yes, it is a significant advantage that allows them to feel at ease.
“As for the rest, I’m uncertain, but I believe Red Bull is undoubtedly still the frontrunner.”
McLaren ‘towards the front of the grid’
Piastri and his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, showcased consistent performances throughout the three-day event, encountering only a few minor setbacks along the way.
Acknowledging the shortcomings of the technical department, team principal Andrea Stella admitted that they were unable to address all of their concerns from the previous season during the winter break. Nevertheless, the team’s performance during the pre-season indicated a significant improvement compared to the past two years.
Expressing optimism about McLaren’s position in the competitive hierarchy ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Piastri stated, “I believe we are positioned towards the front of the grid.”
However, he also acknowledged that challenging Red Bull might not be feasible for McLaren at the moment, and he believes this sentiment is shared by others on the grid.
However, I believe we are positioned towards the front. Instead of making premature judgments, I am basing this on our previous performances in Bahrain and the challenges we have faced in the past. On paper, this circuit does not favor us.
Bahrain stands out from the rest of the season due to its unique Tarmac, which differs greatly from many other tracks we visit. As a result, I anticipate that the conditions and performance will vary significantly depending on the characteristics of each circuit.
Nevertheless, it is extremely difficult to gauge where our competitors currently stand. The only consensus among everyone seems to be that Red Bull appears to be strong.
Leave a Reply