P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri believed the loose wing mirror on track during the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix warranted an immediate Safety Car intervention.
During the Qatar Grand Prix, Alex Albon’s wing mirror on his Williams came loose and flew off on Lap 30, causing a safety concern on the track. Race control responded by using double waved yellow flags for several laps until the mirror was eventually struck by Valtteri Bottas from Sauber, spreading debris across the circuit. While the FIA defended their actions, McLaren driver Piastri argued that quicker measures, such as a Virtual Safety Car or a Safety Car deployment, should have been taken to avoid potential risks on the track. Despite the unfortunate timing of the Safety Car intervention for Piastri, the Australian driver managed to secure a podium finish in third place, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who claimed the race victory. McLaren, expected to perform strongly in Qatar, faced tough competition from Red Bull, with Piastri acknowledging the challenges but expressing satisfaction with his podium result. Looking ahead, McLaren is in a tight battle for the Constructors’ Championship with Ferrari, with the gap between the two teams narrowing after Norris’ penalty and Leclerc’s strong performance.
