PIASTRI F1 COLUMN: AN ORANGE FLOW OUT OF THE BLUE OF MIAMI

Piastri’s F1 column as published in Auto Action magazine issue 1886 on sale May 14 2024.

It was a fantastic result for the whole team over in Miami and it gives us a lot of optimism for the remainder of the season. So many people put in so many hours back at MTC and at the racetrack that it’s a great reward for all that hard work when the car looks quick.

We felt very competitive in quali and the race, and the upgrades that I had on my car seemed to work to the desired effect which is always reassuring.

After the race and back at MTC, where I was last week for some marketing commitments and time in the simulator, it’s been great to see the team enjoying the result and celebrating. It was a cool atmosphere in the team hospitality afterwards, with everyone together.

I am so happy for everyone connected with the team. I remember Miami last year and how we felt then. We’ve come a long way, and we want to be fighting right at the sharp end like this.

Huge credit must go to all the McLaren staff and I am really proud to be part of this team and work with such a great group of people.

And of course a massive congratulations must go to Lando on his first Grand Prix win.

He deserves it and I’m really happy for him and all his team.

We have a really positive relationship within the team, work together really well and so, well done to him on such a good job over in the States.

It’s great to see papaya back on the top step and hopefully it’s a result that we can look to replicate sooner rather than later with many more strong results.

In terms of my weekend, it obviously did not end the way I wanted it to, but I was pleased with the way I drove and the consistency I showed across all the sessions.

The GP was going well for me. I got a good getaway and managed to make three places in the opening corners before then getting Charles and moving up to second.

The opening stint was a really positive one and I was feeling very good in the car and set for a good result. Unfortunately, the Safetv Car period didn’t really work in my favour and contact put pay to any major points, which was such a shame after a strong weekend … but that’s racing.

From a personal perspective, I am just excited to get the remainder of the upgrades that I didn’t have in Miami onto my car for Imola and see how things go.

I’ve never raced there before so it is going to take some time to adapt but, hopefully, we can hit the ground running and build on the team’s momentum from Miami.

It’s back-to-back races now, with Monaco straight after Imola, so it’s been a good opportunity to get a bit of a breather before that double-header.

Monaco is always a busy one, both in the lead-up and during the event so it’s important to conserve energy and be ready for everything that comes with it.

I’ve had a few training days to top up the fitness and also some rest days – which are needed after a super busy start to the season.

My padel game (Ed: Padel is a quirky combination of tennis and squash, played in an enclosed court ..) is improving slowly but surely (I think) and I’ve also had a few games of chess, which I’m enjoying.

Thanks for all the continued support from back home which means a great deal. I’ve had some awesome messages and I appreciate it all.

Enjoy the next few races and see you again in a few weeks’ time.

Take care.

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