Piastri Feels “Relieved” After Securing First F1 Pole

Oscar Piastri celebrates his first-ever pole position in F1, calling it a relief after months of anticipation and hard work.

Piastri reflects on a year of progress since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, culminating in his win two weeks ago in Shanghai. The McLaren driver is pleased with how well he’s come to understand both his car and the circuit, showcasing significant improvement.

“China was a tough circuit for me in 2024, but I definitely had my best F1 weekend there in 2025, so that’s very satisfying,” said the Australian driver, proud of his performance.

“The biggest feeling I had in China was satisfaction with the work we’ve done. It’s been a challenging preseason in terms of what we needed to improve, but I’m happy with how the start of the season has gone.”

Piastri Relieved to Secure First Pole, Focuses on Details

Securing his first-ever pole position also brought a sense of relief for Piastri. “It’s more of a relief than anything. It doesn’t make getting pole positions any easier, but there was a bit of desperation since I’d been waiting for this moment for a long time. Getting the first one is a relief, but I want to be in pole every weekend. I’ll keep doing the same thing.”

“For me, it always comes down to the small details. Even this year, decisions in qualifying were made by tiny margins. Last year, I often found myself on the wrong side of those margins.”

“It’s about looking at all those numbers, all those different factors—how you manage the tires, whether you have a tow, and all the little things that add up. They might seem insignificant on their own, but when combined, they can be the difference between first and second place.”

“The qualifying sessions are incredibly important, so paying attention to those tiny details can make all the difference. It’s crucial to drive well and have confidence, but it feels like everyone is at a similar level, and that’s where small details can give you the edge.”

Piastri Credits Preparation for Strong China Performance

Piastri also credits his impressive performance in China to careful preparation, which helped him avoid excessive tire degradation. “I mentioned during preseason that I didn’t feel there was a clear gap in my weaknesses as a driver,” he explained.

“Some of the challenges in China were very specific, particularly regarding the damage to the front tires. I wondered if it was just the track or if the tires behaved in a way that suited me more naturally.”

“After analyzing the weekend, though, I don’t think it was just a lucky coincidence that I had a good result. I believe it’s a result of solid preparation. I’m not sure if that will always work, but I think analyzing this weekend has given me even more confidence than what I gained during the weekend itself.”

Piastri Unfazed by Early Deficit

With a ten-point deficit to teammate Lando Norris after the first two races, Piastri remains unfazed. “Of course, I want to close the gap, but with 22 races ahead, it would be a stressful season if you were already worrying about that gap,” he said.

“Yes, races can be won and lost early in the season, but they can also be won and lost at the end. The first six races are just as important as the last six. I’ve been part of many championships where you look at gaps, lost points, and things like that.”

“In general, you don’t really focus on when those points were lost during the season; it’s about the fact that they were lost at some point. So weekends like this, where we maximize our performance, are what matter.”

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Piastri Reflects on Strong Start to 2025 F1 Season
Piastri Reflects on Strong Start to 2025 F1 Season