Piastri “definitely in the hunt for the win” in Silverstone

Motivated by a bittersweet result at the Austrian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri says he is “definitely in the hunt for the win” in Silverstone after “a lot of near misses and opportunities” in recent weeks.

Coming off the back of a bittersweet P2 finish around the Red Bull Ring, Piastri is more fired up than ever to finally have his turn standing on the top step of the podium.

It was a weekend of what could have been for the Australian who was penalised for exceeding track limits in Qualifying, a loss that eventually cost him a maiden Formula 1 victory after the race leaders collided on Lap 64. 

Although disappointed, Piastri has taken the positives from the weekend and is looking to apply them at his team’s home race and “one of [his] favourite tracks”.

“I’m definitely in the hunt for the win,” Piastri said. 

“We’ve had a really competitive car for the last three months. 

“There’s been a lot of near misses and opportunities — I don’t think there’s been a clear-cut opportunity where we could have easily won, but we’ve been in the fight for a long time now. 

“I don’t think that really changes that mindset now.

“I think we’ve given ourselves enough evidence on enough different tracks to be able to say that we’re back and able to fight for wins. 

“So, for myself, I want to be up in the fight for that.”

Last weekend, Piastri’s car was fitted with two aero upgrades; a re-profiled front suspension setup and a new front wing. 

The upgrades, along with their general pace, crowned the team the quickest car on track, a feat Piastri hopes to hold onto around the iconic 5.9km Silverstone Circuit this weekend. 

“I think [the MCL38] should perform everywhere,” he said.

“There will be relative weaknesses and strengths compared to other teams. 

“Ferrari were very strong in Monaco, Red Bull I would say quite strong in Austria, especially in the high-speed. 

“So, there’s going to be chops and changes between everybody. 

“Mercedes are in the fight now as well, with Ferrari too. 

“I think we should be confident that we’ll be competitive everywhere. 

“Even this first part of the season, we’ve had so many different types of track, different conditions, different surfaces and we’ve been one of the quickest cars at basically everywhere we’ve gone. 

“So, I think with the amount of data and evidence we’ve had already, I’m confident.”

McLaren will have to battle an upgraded RB20 with the championship-leading team unveiling a significant update that includes changes to the floor and diffuser.

Red Bull’s upper hand of more effective DRS will be reduced when compared to Austria, with Silverstone boasting one less DRS zone than the Red Bull Ring which leans in McLaren’s favour. 

The RB20’s high-speed advantage, however, poses the biggest threat to a home Grand Prix victory for the Woking-based team.

“I think Red Bull will be strong,” the #81 said. 

“They were very quick in the high-speed corners in Barcelona, very quick in the high-speed in Austria, and I mean basically this whole track is high-speed corners. 

“So I think they’ll be very tough to beat. 

“I think it’s been a strength of ours in the past as well and there is some low-speed corners which we’ve certainly made a strength in the last few races. 

“So, I think it will be a good fight, I think, towards the front.

“But given how quick they were in the high-speed last week compared to everyone, not just us, I think they’ll be very tough.”

Piastri will take to Silverstone Circuit at 9:30 PM tonight, racking up some crucial data sets and experience in FP1 while some of his competitors watch on for the sidelines, lending their cars to a set of keen rookies for the opening hour of the British Grand Prix weekend.

Image: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images

2024 British Grand Prix Schedule:

Friday July 5th:

FP1: 21:30 – 22:30

Saturday July 6th:

FP2: 01:00 – 02:00

FP3: 20:30 – 21:30

Sunday July 7th:

Qualifying: 00:00 – 01:00

Monday July 8th:

Race Start: 00:00