McLaren Chief Explains Piastri's Gap to Norris in Mexico GP Qualifying

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella revealed that Oscar Piastri consistently lost "a few milliseconds" per corner compared to his teammate Lando Norris during the Mexico Grand Prix qualifying session. While Norris secured a strong pole position, Piastri qualified eighth, though he will start seventh due to a grid penalty for Carlos Sainz.

Why it matters:

This observation highlights a nuanced challenge for Piastri, particularly in low-grip conditions, and provides insight into the subtle differences that separate top-tier Formula 1 performances. For McLaren, understanding and addressing these minor discrepancies is crucial for maximizing both drivers' potential and strengthening their constructor's championship bid.

The Details:

• Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris's pole-securing lap was exceptionally strong, with Stella noting Norris was fastest in every single sector. This indicates Norris's ability to extract maximum performance from the MCL60 across various corner speeds.
• Piastri's Struggle: Piastri found it more challenging to adapt to the slippery track conditions in Mexico, similar to his experience in Austin. Stella pinpointed that Piastri was losing "a few milliseconds" in almost every corner relative to Norris, indicating a difficulty in finding the absolute limit under such circumstances.
• Adaptation Challenge: According to Stella, the primary issue for Piastri was "getting the right feeling with these conditions and pushing that little bit more in every single corner." This suggests a mental or experiential hurdle in maximizing the car's performance when grip levels are low and the car is prone to sliding.
• Team Focus: McLaren's immediate goal is to review Piastri's data and work on improving his ability to handle these specific conditions for the race. The team believes both drivers have strong race pace, and they are optimistic about Piastri's ability to recover positions during the Grand Prix.

Between the lines:

These marginal differences, often imperceptible to the casual observer, are the bedrock of Formula 1 performance. For a rookie like Piastri, adapting to varying track conditions and consistently pushing the car to its absolute limit is a key part of his development. Norris, with more experience, has clearly mastered this aspect, allowing him to string together a near-perfect lap even when conditions are tricky.

What's next:

McLaren will be focused on data analysis to help Piastri find more confidence and pace in similar conditions moving forward. For the Mexico Grand Prix itself, the team anticipates a strong race pace from both drivers, with Piastri aiming to make significant gains from his P7 starting position to secure valuable points for himself and the team. His performance in the race will be crucial for his championship standings relative to Norris, who currently trails by 14 points.