Piastri never expected 'to be second to a Ferrari' in qualifying

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F1 championship leader Oscar Piastri confessed he was caught off guard by Charles Leclerc’s pole-winning performance during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, after McLaren had dominated every session leading up to Saturday afternoon.

Piastri and teammate Lando Norris had looked in control throughout practice and also in the early part qualifying as they traded fastest laps.

But when it mattered most in Q3, it was Leclerc who delivered, snatching pole with a 1m15.372s lap that left the paddock stunned – and Piastri starting alongside him in second, with Norris one spot behind.

“I wasn’t expecting to be second to a Ferrari this weekend,” the Aussie admitted. “But, yeah, he’s done a good job.”

Changing Winds and Missed Execution

While McLaren were widely tipped for a front-row lockout, Piastri revealed that a sudden shift in wind direction in Q3 played havoc with the car’s handling in the final segment of qualifying.

“Yeah, I think the wind changed a lot. It always sounds so pathetic, blaming things on the wind, but the wind basically did a 180 from Q2 to Q3, and yeah, it just meant a lot of the corners felt completely different,” he explained.

“My first lap in Q3 felt pretty terrible because I wasn't used to it, and then I thought the second lap was a lot better, but it was even slower. So, yeah, just difficult to judge in those conditions and, you know, maybe not the best execution, but I was a bit surprised that we couldn't go quicker than that.”

Despite the frustration, Piastri remained gracious, applauding Leclerc’s performance in unpredictable conditions.

“Charles has been quick all weekend and even this morning he was closer than we expected, and yeah, I mean things just changed a little bit and I guess he did a very good job, so, yeah, well done to him.”

Eyes on Sunday

Piastri, who claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Hungaroring in 2024, remains optimistic about his chances in Sunday’s race.

With second place still offering a strong launchpad—and Leclerc’s Ferrari not known for the same tire longevity as the McLaren—the Australian sees opportunity.

Read also: Stella on why Piastri-Norris relationship ‘keeps improving’

“So, you know, second is still a decent spot to start. So yeah, we'll see what we can do tomorrow,” he said. “It’s gonna be a fun race tomorrow with a bit more involved.”

With just 16 points separating him from teammate Norris in the title fight, and a resurgent Leclerc suddenly in the mix, Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix could prove pivotal in the championship narrative.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.