Piastri manages P8 in “tricky” and “tight” Bahrain qualifying

Oscar Piastri believes McLaren will be “in the mix” come lights out tonight, with the young Australian taking a clear step up from this time last year to qualify in a “tricky” P8 for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

In anticipation of the first qualifying session of the year, Piastri had found comfort within the top ten in FP3.

The #81 finished the final hour of practice in P7, having only completed 13 laps, however, with qualifying running at night and in cooled conditions, FP2 was the most representative.

Piastri finished that session with the fifth fastest time, creating a small amount of hope for the 22-year-old.

“P8. A significant improvement on last year,” Piastri said.

“I did struggle with the balance all session and felt a fair way off compared to yesterday. 

“It came together a bit more on the last lap in Q3, but it was a bit tricky.” 

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, on track during qualifying for the Bahrain GP. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

As the lights went green on qualifying, Piastri was just one of the many drivers who remained in his garage, allowing the likes of the Ferrari and Alpine cars to clean the track on their first run.

Piastri was the second new-wave driver to cross the line, setting an opening time equal to Alex Albon’s.

He tumbled down the order as the 18-minute Q1 session progressed, dropping to P12 which was further down the field, however, still safe.

In Q2, Piastri earned himself a time of 1:30.122s on the soft tyre, however, it wasn’t a stress-free session.

As the final moments of the second session ticked down, Piastri demoted Yuki Tsunoda into P11, with the Australian a tantalising seven milliseconds ahead of a Q2 exit in tenth.

McLaren mechanics work on Piastri and Norris’ cars during qualifying in Bahrain. Image: Simon Galloway / LAT Images.

Now in the top ten shootout, Piastri’s first attempt sat him a tenth behind Nico Hulkenberg.

That lap was ultimately the slowest of the remaining drivers, forcing him to step it up on his final run.

The young Australian improved to P7, with his teammate out-qualifying him in P6 before they were both demoted a place in the final chaotic moments of Bahrain qualifying.

“Going into tomorrow, I think we can be in the mix. 

“The grid is quite tight and there isn’t much in it, so it won’t be easy, but we’ll see what we can do.”

The teammates will line up alongside one another on Row 4, with Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez directly in their sights ahead.

Lights out for the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place at 2:00 AM, Sunday morning.

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