Regardless of having fractionally missed out on his maiden F1 title, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri reckons that his team-mate Lando Norris is “a really deserving winner.”
Ranging from the second place on the grid, Lando Norris managed to maintain his place, albeit his team-mate overtook him in a while through the opening lap with a sensational transfer.
The Australian began on Pirelli’s laborious tyres, and stayed out for an extended first stint, finishing a one-stop technique whereas his direct rivals elected to cowl the race distance by pitting twice.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc displayed an unexpectedly robust race efficiency on the Yas Marina Circuit, retaining Norris sincere, however the McLaren driver at all times had one thing in reserve when the hole began to scale back. The Briton in the end completed third which was sufficient for him to fractionally beat Verstappen, sealing his maiden world championship title in Abu Dhabi.
Piastri was unable to place Verstappen underneath strain along with his one-stop technique, and barely struggled along with his medium tyres throughout his lengthy second stint, but it surely was nonetheless sufficient for him to finish a season on a excessive with a second-place end.
Pushed on to replicate on his season, Piastri defined that he has “realized a hell of quite a bit about myself” by way of the troublesome moments.
“I imply, I believe, clearly, I might have wished for a barely totally different ending, however I believe this 12 months I’ve realized a hell of quite a bit about myself as a race automotive driver, myself as an individual.
“I believe for those who had offered this season in the beginning of the 12 months with the pole positions and the wins and the podiums, I positively would have been fairly pleased with that.
“And I believe even within the powerful moments, I’ve realized quite a bit about myself and the way I may be stronger sooner or later. So, I believe, in the end, there’s a bit little bit of disappointment, clearly, however I believe I may be very pleased with the season I’ve had and loads of classes to take to the long run.
Requested to share his ideas on his team-mate Lando Norris’ efficiency and the job he’s accomplished this 12 months to be world champion, Piastri claimed that the Briton is a “very deserving winner.”
“I believe a really deserving winner. I do know that each weekend I’m going on observe, it’s going to be powerful. And I believe we’ve pushed one another by way of the final three years.
“I believe particularly this season has been tighter than ever. So, yeah, I believe he’s had an incredible season. In all probability all three of us, however clearly, myself and Lando in the identical workforce, in the identical automotive, have had our ups and downs at totally different moments. Finally, I believe he’s had an excellent season and a deserving champion.”
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