P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri ignored a call for patience from race engineer Tom Stallard before making his race-winning lunge to overtake Charles Leclerc for the lead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Piastri battled…
Oscar Piastri took the lead in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a daring late-braking overtake on Charles Leclerc, despite ignoring his race engineer’s call for patience. Piastri believed clear air was crucial for victory and pushed hard in the opening laps, leading to tire degradation and dropping him back. McLaren advised Piastri to be gentler on his new set of tires after the pit stop, but he opted for a high-risk strategy that ultimately secured him the win. Despite holding the lead, Piastri faced relentless pressure from Leclerc, needing to drive flawlessly to maintain his position. The victory marked a significant milestone in Piastri’s strong performance streak, helping McLaren move to the top of the constructors championship standings. Piastri reflected on the race as one of his best performances, highlighting the challenges he faced in fending off Leclerc throughout the event.
