Despite investigations, Piastri is optimistic about McLaren’s Imola chances

Oscar Piastri is optimistic about McLaren’s chances of winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after qualifying second behind Max Verstappen.

The Australian is equipped with the team’s full upgrade package at Imola this weekend and put it to good use in qualifying, pushing Lando Norris onto the front row alongside Verstappen, losing less than a tenth to the world champion.

Piastri has trailed Verstappen all weekend but his second place is in jeopardy after he was called before the stewards for obstructing Kevin Magnussen at the Tamburello chicane in Q1.

Despite the threat of a possible starting drop, Piastri believes McLaren is in an excellent position to challenge Verstappen after strong “recent performances”.

“In the past we would have said no, but with recent performances we have learned to say yes, so we will see what we can do,” he said.

“We were definitely on the right track all weekend but you can never discount Max and Red Bull like we just saw, but the confidence is high.”

“Of course it’s not the easiest track to overtake on, but there’s a lot of confidence that we can do something good.”

Piastri’s lap

After the first Q3 runs, Piastri was almost three tenths behind Verstappen while Norris was in second place, but a good final lap from the second-year driver saw him overtake his teammate and close the qualifying battle between the teams with flying colors win The season score is again 4:3.

He felt it was difficult to get a “perfect lap” in the gravel-laden Imola

“It was pretty good, I had a bit of a scruffy last corner, but I think it’s very difficult to do a perfect lap here,” he explained.

“That’s why I’m really happy. I felt very comfortable with the car from the moment we put it on track yesterday and I was so close to pole, but I’m very happy.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been back up here, so I’m very happy with how this weekend has gone so far.”