Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/F1/Getty
Topics: Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Formula 1
Marcus Chan
Footage of Oscar Piastri’s team radio has emerged after the Brazilian Grand Prix.
During what was a dramatic weekend in Interlagos, qualifying and the race happened on the same day after Saturday’s sessions were rained off.
On Sunday, Red Bull superstar and reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen produced a masterclass as he went from 17th place to win his first race since June.
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Verstappen was handed a free stop after Franco Colapinto’s crash in tricky conditions led to the race being red flagged.
However, several drivers, including Piastri, were voicing their concerns over the time it took the red flag to be waved, citing the heavy rain and low visibility.
The Australian was heard saying: “It’s definitely getting a bit wetter out here now,” before adding: “Yeah, it’s getting real bad now. There’s a lot of standing water here. Mate, I think we need wets.”
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Piastri’s engineer replied: “This should not last long, stay out if possible.”
Piastri then said: “I’m struggling to keep it on the track. I can’t see a thing. Mate, we need a red flag, it’s ridiculous out here now.
“Mate, I think even the wet will struggle, I can’t even drive normally at this speed. The front straight is like a swimming pool, I can’t even go pass half throttle and I have no idea where the track is going. The standing water is everywhere, the wets will not survive this.I can’t race like this, on these tyres. Either we need to put the wets on or they need to stop the race. Or both!”
Piastri went on to finish in eighth place, more than 44 seconds behind winner Verstappen.
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Speaking after his stunning victory, Verstappen said: “It's definitely an emotional win. This morning I was very upset and my emotions have been going from left to right today.
“I surprised myself today to win here. We had a really good start, stayed out of trouble, made good overtakes and were very fast.”
He added: “We made the right calls with the red flag to stay out. Suddenly the rain came down and it was even undrivable on a wet tyre.
“The calls with the team as well, I know they are super calm and just amazing in helping me as well on the pit wall make the right decisions. In races like this, it's massive to have that.”
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F1 will return at the end of the month with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the race taking place on November 24.