Piastri: Following Verstappen in wet Monaco GP 'quite useful'

McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri says he took the opportunity to watch and learn while following race winner Max Verstappen in the rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix.

Piastri scored his second top-ten finish of the season in the Principality last weekend, crossing the checkered flag P10 just one spot behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

The 22-year-old drove a steady and consistent race in difficult conditions, steering clear of trouble during the 78-lap event, although he admitted to enduring a few "close calls".

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"I don't think there were any touches, but some very close moments - especially on the slicks," he said after the race.

"One time, I keyed up the radio to talk and almost put it in the wall mid-sentence. I won't do that next time! But a few close calls."

In the latter part of the race, Piastri heeded the blue flags and gave way to Verstappen. But the Aussie managed to remain just behind the race leader and took away a few pointers from the reigning world champion in the dry-to-wet conditions.

"Having Max right in front of me was actually quite useful in some ways, because that was my first time on slicks on a rainy track in an F1 car," Piastri said.

"Having Max there, I obviously knew that if there's going to be anyone, that's probably going to be OK.

"When it was raining on the slicks, understandably, he was being very cautious. I could keep with him quite well there.

"Even when we came out on inters, I could keep with him quite well. Once the track dried up and he got a bit more comfortable, then he was a fair bit quicker.

"But initially, I was managing to keep behind him, which is the best I've been able to say that. So, it was nice."

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