P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri has insisted that McLaren did the “right thing” to pit him a second time despite it costing him the win to Charles Leclerc in Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix. Starting second, Piastri seized the lead on the first lap when he executed a daring move around team-mate Lando Norris’ outside at the Variante […]
Piastri took the lead on the first lap by executing a daring move around team-mate Lando Norris’ outside at the Variante della Roggia chicane. He appeared set for a second F1 win, extending his gap over Charles Leclerc and Norris through the opening stints. McLaren’s decision to pit both drivers a second time backfired, as Ferrari opted for a one-stop strategy, enabling Leclerc to claim the win. Piastri defended McLaren’s choice, citing excessive graining as a factor favoring a two-stop strategy. Reflecting on the race, he acknowledged that stopping once might have been the better decision in hindsight but considered it risky based on the weekend’s tire graining issues. Piastri believed he had the pace to catch and pass Leclerc but got held up by Carlos Sainz and backmarkers, ultimately costing him a shot at victory.
