Oscar Piastri is determined to achieve redemption in the F1 Las Vegas GP after a chaotic 2023 race.
Reflecting on last year’s challenges, the McLaren driver remains optimistic about the improvements in the team’s “broader set of strengths” and his ability to capitalise on them this weekend.
A difficult 2023 race for McLaren
Reflecting on the tumultuous 2023 weekend at the F1 Las Vegas GP, Piastri admitted the race was far from straightforward but found silver linings in his performance.
“I wouldn’t say I’m too concerned. I think the race for myself last year was actually not bad. There were a few setbacks,” Piastri explained.
“I feel like I went from the back to the front to the back and halfway in the middle again. I saw a stat the other day—I think I had 20 overtakes, which when there’s 20 cars is… I’ll take that.”
While last year’s McLaren struggled for pace, Piastri believes this year’s car is far better equipped to handle the unique challenges of Las Vegas.
“I think we got things a bit strategically wrong last year. Our pace wasn’t amazing, but I think a few other factors made it look a lot worse than it actually was.”
“I think our car is a lot better this year. It has a much broader set of strengths, I would say. I’m not too concerned.
“I think Ferrari will be very strong, but I think we’re still in a good spot.”
Cold temperatures
One of the significant challenges in Las Vegas is the cold weather, which has a profound impact on tyre performance.
Piastri outlined the difficulties this poses for drivers and teams, with graining a feature as well.
“In terms of getting the tyres in the right window, it is very, very tough. These tyres don’t really like it when it’s cold because they grain as well.
“We saw that a lot last year. We’ve seen it in quite a few races this year. Just the balance of warming them up and then keeping them alive without graining them is a very tough mix.”
He noted that unexpected teams — Ferrari in particular — shone in 2023 due to their ability to manage tyre temperatures effectively, a factor he believes could play a role again.
“We saw last year a few teams that managed to fire the tyres up better were unexpectedly quick. Let’s see what this year brings.”
Changes to team orders
Piastri also addressed the topic of team orders, a contentious issue after Brazil, where he had to relinquish a potential sprint race win to support McLaren’s championship ambitions.
Heading into Las Vegas, the situation has shifted thanks to Max Verstappen’s massive win at Interlagos.
“Pretty much, yes,” he said when asked if the Papaya ranks had returned to a more balanced approach.
“There are still some very specific scenarios where I might be needed to help out, but for the very large majority of situations, it’s back to how it was.
“The Drivers’ Championship picture is very slim and the Constructors’ Championship is certainly not over for us.
“It’s certainly not a done deal, so that’s definitely the biggest thing. There are very specific few scenarios that maybe I’ll still help out if that’s what I’m asked to do, but I’m going into the weekend trying to win.”
Giving up a Sprint win
Reflecting on his decision to give up a sprint victory in Brazil, Piastri said, “I wasn’t that disappointed with giving that up.
“Of course, I would have loved to have won the sprint, but it was a very different scenario to a Grand Prix.
“I think I proved what I wanted to prove in terms of qualifying on pole, and that was just to myself.
“Qualifying on pole for the sprint was, even if I had won the sprint, probably the more satisfying thing for me.
“I knew I did the right things in the sprint, and that’s good for me. I’m happy that we don’t have to go into those kinds of things as much anymore.”
He added, “Obviously, next year I want to make sure that I’m not in the position championship-wise to be subject to that.
“But in reality, I probably needed to help out that one time in Brazil, and that’s been it. So it’s been a lot of talk but not much on-track action.”
With McLaren’s improvements and a focus on their “much broader set of strengths,” Piastri is determined to turn the page on last year’s difficulties and secure a strong result in Las Vegas.
