After qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, which is completely dominated by Mercedes, it is Oscar Piastri who limits the damage and puts the McLaren on P3. Suzuka rewards those who understand their package and McLaren seems to have this better in order now. “We are in a good position this weekend, but clearly don’t have the speed of Mercedes yet. But we are getting closer and that is the most important thing.”
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That McLaren is getting so close at all and is faster than the Ferraris is remarkable. The Australian is honest about it after the session: “The car hasn’t changed since the previous races. It doesn’t feel very different either, but I think this circuit just suits the car better.”
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Piastri does reveal that McLaren is starting to understand the Mercedes power unit better than during the previous two Grands Prix. “We have been able to get more out of the engine and optimized things a bit.” The question now is whether that optimization will also hold up in the race. Antonelli and Russell start ahead of him, but Piastri is close enough to be dangerous. “I hope we can keep up with them in the race as well,” he concludes with a smile.
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Read everything about the Japanese GP here
