Oscar Piastri, the current Formula 1 championship leader, is heading into this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with a lot of momentum behind him. The Melbourne-born driver for McLaren has managed to secure victory in the last three grands prix, putting him in a comfortable 16-point lead over his teammate, Lando Norris, in the drivers’ championship. With a quarter of the season already completed, Piastri’s recent win in Miami has made history for McLaren, making him the first driver in 28 years to win three consecutive grands prix for the British team.
Piastri has the opportunity to match the record set by the legendary Ayrton Senna of winning four consecutive grands prix for McLaren at the Imola circuit, where Senna tragically lost his life 31 years ago. The McLaren team showcased their dominance at the Miami Grand Prix with Piastri and Norris finishing in a 1-2 position, leaving the rest of the field trailing behind by more than half a minute. With a total of four grand prix wins this season and the fastest car over race distance, Piastri remains cautiously optimistic about his chances for the upcoming race at Imola.
Despite the solid performance so far, Piastri emphasized that there is still tough competition ahead and that he is focusing on taking each race as it comes. McLaren, having won last year’s constructors’ championship, currently leads the field by 105 points over Mercedes after six rounds. Piastri acknowledged the importance of beating their rivals and also the friendly competition within the team, particularly with Norris vying for the top spot in the drivers’ championship. The team’s main goal remains to continue pushing themselves to perform at their best and secure victories both on and off the track.
Not really sure why this matters, but Piastri seemed pretty confident in his abilities and the team’s performance, expressing gratitude for the support he has received. The McLaren driver remains focused on the task at hand, aiming to secure more wins and maintain their position at the front of the field. With the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix fast approaching, fans can expect an intense battle between the teams and drivers as they strive for victory. ABC Sport will be providing live coverage of the race this Sunday, with the action kicking off at 11pm AEST. So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting race weekend at the iconic Imola circuit.