Gearbox issue cost Piastri a “decent chunk” of time in China

A last-lap gearbox issue cost Oscar Piastri a “decent chunk” of time on his final Sprint Qualifying run today, however, the McLaren driver remains hopeful as the team’s performance looks “more positive” than expected in China.

Oscar Piastri is set to start tomorrow’s Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix from eighth on the grid after battling his own issues during a chaotic qualifying session in Shanghai.

After 15 laps total in the session, Piastri’s fastest time in the wet session was a 2:00.990s, around three seconds back on his pole-man teammate’s benchmark of a 1:57.940s.

Despite the tricky session, Piastri remains “excited” for what lies ahead, with McLaren’s package not as bad as they first thought when arriving to China for the first time since 2019.

“We look a bit better than maybe we expected,” Piastri said.

“It’s, of course, tough to know ‘cause everyone’s done such little running.

“But I think it’s been overall more positive than maybe we expected, so I’m excited to see what we can do for the rest of the weekend.” 

The session started off with a looming 60% chance of rain, weather which fell just moments into the session as per reported by Piastri.

Running the mandatory medium compound tyre in SQ1, Piastri’s fastest time rewarded him with a safe P5 finish at the chequered flag.

SQ2 also wasn’t an issue for the Australian, with McLaren’s worries dispelled during the opening two sessions.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri wait at the pit exit during Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese GP. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images.

Piastri secured his place in the top ten shootout with a time of 1m35.853s, seeing him sitting in P4.

The upwards trend unfortunately didn’t continue for the 23-year-old, with rain and technical issues costing Piastri greatly.

As the rain came pouring down, experience became irrelevant with even current champions having their limits pushed.

Piastri was not one of them, however, saving his MCL38 from a trip across the run-off area at Turn 14, just as Max Verstappen had failed to do so a lap prior.

Aside from that, there weren’t many highlights for Piastri or anyone else in this final session, with only Lando Norris stunning despite the late lap deletion confusion.

“Unfortunately, not the end to Sprint Qualifying that we wanted,” Piastri said.

“I had some wheel-spin and pulled a gear and found neutral which was frustrating as I think we could have been higher up, but I also just didn’t find enough on the last lap. 

“I’m pleased for Lando and I think overall, we’re more promising here than we were expecting to be, but the pace in general is tough to judge. 

“We’ll have a look overnight and see what we can do ahead of the Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying tomorrow.”

Piastri will line up on Row 4 tomorrow, with Charles Leclerc occupying the grid slot alongside him.

He’ll have the two Sauber cars in his mirrors, with the menacing presence of George Russell behind them in P11.

Lights out for tomorrow’s Sprint will take place at 1:00 PM, AEST.

2024 Chinese Grand Prix

Friday, April 19

Practice 1: 13:30-14:30

Sprint Qualifying: 17:30-18:14

Saturday, April 20

Sprint: 13:00-14:00

Qualifying: 17:00-18:00

Sunday, April 21

Grand Prix: 17:00

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