Oscar Piastri made significant statements on the eve of the Canadian GP, expressing confidence in McLaren's progress and reflecting on the season's recent performances.
Certainly at the end of 2023 few expected a situation, especially regarding the constructors' title, so different from last season. It's no longer just Max Verstappen on the podium, but there is also room for other drivers. Although Oscar Piastri has not yet climbed to the top step in a race (he has already done so in a Sprint), as he declared today at the press conference before the Canadian GP, he feels strong and supported by a team that is growing race after race:
“The last three weekends have been very solid both from the team and from me. Monaco was the first time I achieved a positive result and it's also thanks to the car, at the moment I feel confident, I feel in a good position. I had some difficult races after a promising start and then I managed to find consistency in the last weekends, and that's what I was missing."
A trust that also allowed his teammate, Lando Norris, to finally obtain his first victory during the Miami GP and which led McLaren to be third force and, at times, depending on the track, even second, annoying Red Bull.
The Australian has managed to find the consistency he was missing in recent races, with an excellent performance during the Monaco GP, where he achieved a well-deserved second place.
"The car has grown in several areas compared to last season. I think we won't be the favorites in Canada, but I don't know who is the favorite either, so I just hope to be in the fight. Fighting for top positions is really exciting and it is thanks to the team and the work that we have made this growth. I think victory is within reach, we have shown it in the last few weekends"
Piastri said he does not consider his team among the favorites to win the Canadian GP, but not even Helmut Marko for Red Bull. After the latest updates from McLaren and Ferrari, the gap between the top three manufacturers is narrowing. The figure of Max Verstappen may no longer be enough to slow down the growth of Ferrari and McLaren, both with the most consistent drivers on the grid.
