Piastri confident in Jeddah: “Hopefully more fun to come”

Carrying race-winning momentum into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri is feeling confident that the fun will continue, however, warns that “the competition will be probably the tightest it’s been” in Jeddah.

Last weekend, Piastri put one of his most complete performances together to claim his fourth Grand Prix victory during his milestone outing in Bahrain.

Starting on the front foot in all three practice sessions, McLaren was the out-right fastest competitor all weekend, meaning the difference in intra-team battle was solely down to the drivers.

Getting set for the first competitive session of the weekend, Qualifying unfolded with ease for the Australian who went on to take an untouchable Pole Position, however, for his teammate Lando Norris, a late slip-up left him in a gloomy P6 to start the race.

Norris recovered three positions into the first corner, however, challenging for the win would prove impossible as his teammate set an unmatchable pace around the Bahrain International Circuit, securing McLaren’s first victory at the team’s ‘second home’.

“How it looks is how I feel,” Piastri said. 

“It’s been a great start to the season, I think also last week was a very special weekend and a performance that I’m very, very proud of so hopefully we can keep that going but yeah, everything’s been good so far.

“I’ve been feeling happy with that car, happy with the team around me, and I think that results are reflecting that as well.”

Along with the new addition to McLaren’s extensive trophy cabinet, Piastri also took home a significant haul of 25 points in Bahrain, bringing his season total to 74 points after four rounds of racing. 

Crucially, however, his masterclass in the desert saw him outclassing his teammate and current championship leader Lando Norris across the entire weekend, allowing the #81 to reduce the margin to just three points after his pole-to-flag victory.

“Not at this point, you know, I think the best way of building a championship charge at the moment is by executing the best weekends you can,” Piastri said.

“At the moment that’s what I’m trying to do—like you said, it’s incredibly early still—so yeah, just trying to make sure you get the most out of every weekend is the most important thing.

“I think if you can do a good job of that then you’ll be looking pretty good by the end of the year.”

Piastri has been able to maximise his performance at almost every Grand Prix this season, barring one—the Australian Grand Prix.

Home race heartbreak struck the McLaren driver as he slid onto the grass at the final corner, succumbing to the changeable weather conditions in Melbourne as he fought his way up the podium. 

Had the Australian remained on track—both literally and figuratively—Piastri would be sitting pretty as the current Drivers’ Championship leader ahead of his teammate, however, that fact hasn’t impacted his mentality, instead allowing him to reflect and appreciate his mental toughness.

“I think it is a strength of mine,” the Australian said.

“I think one of hopefully a few strengths of mine, but it is something that I have kind of recognised myself as a point of difference.

“It’s something that I’ve tried to work on so, you know, I think even after Melbourne, you know, obviously, it was painful in the few days afterwards, but I think the fact that I had such a strong weekend through practice, qualifying, was on the pace in the race—that was more encouragement than disappointment.

“So yeah, I feel like the whole season has been going well and [I’ve] just been trying to get the most out of what we know is a quick car.

“It’s been a fun first few races and hopefully more fun to come.”

This weekend, the Formula 1 circus returns to a street circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, however, one of tremendous difference to Albert Park.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a high-speed, low-drag challenge, testing even the most experienced drivers across the weekend. 

Since joining the F1 grid, Piastri has experienced the late-night event on two occasions in both 2023 and 2024, finishing in P15 and P4, respectively.

Coming into this weekend, the Australian expects his upward trajectory to continue, despite warning that the competition will be at an all-time high in Jeddah.

“I’m still expecting us to be quick,” Piastri said.

“The last couple of years, it’s been a good circuit for us—even in 2023 when there weren’t many circuits at the beginning of the year that were good for us, this was one of them.

“I’m confident that we’ll be quick again.

“I think with the tarmac being so high grip, so smooth, I think that will help out some other teams and I think the competition will be probably the tightest it’s been, but I’m confident we’ll still be towards the front and have a good car.”

Ready to test out the MCL39 around the 27 corners, the first of three practice sessions will kick off tonight at 23:30 AEST, followed by FP2 at 03:00 AEST.

Image: McLaren

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine