Featured Image Credit: Getty / Sky Sports
Topics: Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Ryan Smart
Topics: Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Oscar Piastri gave a revealing answer when asked about McLaren team-mate Lando Norris' shock elimination from Q1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Norris will start Sunday's race at the Baku City Circuit in 17th place after his early exit.
The McLaren driver slowed for yellow flags on his push lap before then going off the circuit in turn 15.
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When asked if he had time to do another lap, his race engineer Will Joseph told him to return to the pits.
The yellow flag was caused by Alpine's Esteban Ocon, who suffered a puncture and was moving slowly.
TV replays added an element of confusion to the matter, as it was unclear whether Norris had driven past a white flag signal - indicating that a car is going slowly - or a yellow flag. Norris himself insisted the signal was indeed yellow.
Piastri, meanwhile, qualified second in what was another strong qualifying session for the Australian.
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In his post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports, Piastri was asked about McLaren's announcement that they would favour Norris in the next few races given that he is in a better position to challenge Max Verstappen for the Drivers' Championship.
When asked if, given the discrepancy in their qualifying positions, whether Piastri would be given the green light to challenge for the race win, he smiled before replying: "Definitely."
On whether he felt confident that he could challenge for the victory, he said: "I think from where we're starting, yes.
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"But I think following around here is going to be really tough. We saw yesterday that it was pretty tough once you get behind someone.
"I hope we can get some clean air, that would be good. We'll see what we can do.
"I think our race pace is good, but the Ferraris are certainly not slow."