Piastri Admits Pushing Too Hard After Baku Crash

Oscar Piastri has acknowledged that he pushed too hard during qualifying in Baku, leading to a Turn 3 crash that ended his session. Despite a strong qualifying record in 2025, the McLaren driver will start ninth, two places behind championship rival Lando Norris, who also had a minor incident.

Why it matters:

Piastri's crash in Q3 cost him a potentially strong starting position in a session where McLaren's car showed good pace. For a driver consistently qualifying in the top four, this error could be a setback in his championship campaign against Norris, emphasizing the fine margins and unforgiving nature of street circuits like Baku.

The Details:

• Piastri lost control at Turn 3 in Q3, hitting the wall and causing the final red flag of a chaotic session.
• He attributed the incident to braking "a little bit late," suggesting an aggressive push beyond the car's limits.
• Challenging Conditions: The session was heavily impacted by high winds and light rain, making grip levels inconsistent and difficult to judge, as noted by Piastri.
  • "The first two corners were really good, and then I don't know if I just tried a bit too much or the rain being around," Piastri commented.
• Team Principal's Defense: McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella defended Piastri, highlighting the treacherous conditions and the unforgiving nature of the Baku circuit.
  • "There was a lot of wind. It was difficult to put laps together," Stella stated, adding that Piastri was on a "very, very strong performance."
• Norris's Incident: Lando Norris also brushed the barriers during his final Q3 run, impacting his lap and costing McLaren a potentially stronger collective result. He will start two places ahead of Piastri in seventh.

What's next:

Despite the setback, Piastri remains focused on race day, acknowledging that a win is "ambitious" from ninth but optimistic about making progress. McLaren will work to repair Piastri's car and aim for a strong recovery drive from both drivers in the race.

• The car's demonstrated speed throughout the weekend offers hope for a points finish and a potential climb up the order.
• Stella emphasized the team's reset, focusing on repairing Piastri's car and preparing for a "long day today and tomorrow" to recover positions in the race.
• The team will be looking for a double-points finish to maximize their Constructors' Championship standing and keep pressure on their rivals.