Piastri “leaving Jeddah very happy” after securing P4 finish

Oscar Piastri well and truly earned his impressive fourth-place finish, battling wheel-to-wheel with Lewis Hamilton for much of the 50-lap, action-packed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

“I think that was the most we could have done, so leaving Jeddah very happy, to be honest,” Piastri said.

“[I] got past Fernando [Alonso] early on, got stuck behind Lewis [Hamilton] for a long time and then once he pitted I was ok.

“Still definitely showed some things that we need to improve a little bit, but, yeah, I think that was definitely the most we could do at the moment.”

Starting from fifth on the grid, Piastri found the early momentum to bring the battle to Fernando Alonso ahead. 

After gaining ground across the opening lap, Piastri found the opportunity to dispose of the veteran on Lap 2, settling into P4. 

Just 14 minutes into the race, the flow was interrupted.

A heavy shunt front Lance Stroll into the barriers at Turn 23 brought out the first Safety Car of the season, with Piastri one of 17 drivers opting to take the cheap pitstop.

Piastri’s teammate elected to stay out, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg also committing to a lengthened first stint.

Oscar Piastri leads Fernando Alonso during the opening stages of the Saudi Arabian GP. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images.

The race restarted with just over 40 laps remaining, Piastri charging into Turn 1 from P6.

As he had stayed out, Hamilton soon became a tiresome obstacle for Piastri.

On one of their first interactions, the duo made slight contact into Turn 1, seeing bits of carbon fibre flying off the #81’s car.

He passed Hamilton, however, doing so off the track forcing Piastri to give the position back.

They continued to tussle over P5, with Piastri close, but not close enough even with the aid of DRS down the main straight.

The team grew frustrated as they couldn’t find a way past, seeing them resorting to radio tactics, questioning certain moves the seven-time world champion was making, hoping to pique the interest of the stewards.

When that method failed to receive a reaction, it was back to the traditional ways of racing for Piastri.

On Lap 36, Piastri looked set to make the overtake stick on Hamilton into Turn 1, however, after running in too hot, the Australian then locked up allowing Hamilton to regain the place.

Lewis Hamilton leads Oscar Piastri during the Saudi Arabian GP. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

It was an anti-climatic end to their battle unfortunately, with the Mercedes driver peeling off into the pits for his first stop of the race.

“Just didn’t quite have enough straight-line speed to do anything, I think the last corner as well is not one of our strongest so, you put both of those together and you end up stuck behind Lewis [Hamilton] for a long time.

“I think Mercedes were also one of the quickest cars in a straight line this weekend so that made life much tougher than I wanted it to.”

From there, it was a smooth and simple race to the flag for Piastri, with the Australian enjoying the drive around the difficult circuit as the laps ticked down.

He wasn’t able to make any gains on Leclerc ahead, saying that if he had been able to pass Hamilton earlier, “maybe [he] could have stayed a bit closer to the Ferrari”.

“They’re still a step above us at the moment.

“I think that was probably the most we could have done and I feel like it’s been a very well-executed weekend.”

Piastri crossed the finish line in P4, a solid result and points haul for the 22-year-old ahead of his home race in two weeks’ time.

Before heading to Australia, Piastri said he’ll use the next few days for some well-deserved “chill out” time.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after the Saudi Arabian GP. Image: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images.

“It’s been a busy few weeks for us all, and then yeah, off to home,” he said.

“Spend a few days seeing my family and stuff which will be nice, and getting used to the timezone.”

Piastri is optimistic about his trip down under, with the team in a much better position than they were this time, last year.

“If a couple of cars don’t finish the race then maybe [I could be on the podium],” Piastri said.

“If we have a bit more good fortune in Melbourne and if we could try to aim for the same then that would be a good effort.

“I think we’re definitely stronger than the last time we went to Melbourne, so hopefully we can have a good race at home.”

“My home race is going to be exciting so, looking forward to going back!”

The on-track action at the Australian Grand Prix kicks off with FP1 at 12:30 PM on Friday, March 22.

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