P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren will “protect” Piastri from busy Melbourne F1 schedule
The Australian Grand Prix this weekend is significant for Piastri as it is his home race and his second season in the top-flight. Despite joining F1 amidst a contract dispute, Piastri aimed to keep a low profile in 2023. McLaren is prioritizing driver schedules during race events amidst F1’s popularity surge, driven partly by ‘Drive to Survive’. Stella from McLaren emphasizes the focus on performance by managing driver schedules carefully to ensure rest and concentration. Major upgrades for McLaren’s MCL38 ahead of the Australian GP are unlikely, with minor improvements expected instead for marginal gains and strategy considerations. Stella highlights the challenges of managing upgrades with logistical constraints and the impact of the budget cap on development decisions.
