P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri qualified third for the Singapore Grand Prix but well behind pole-sitter George Russell.
Oscar Piastri expressed surprise at the significant deficit to George Russell in Singapore Grand Prix qualifying, as McLaren had expected to dominate at the circuit.
Despite the championship leader starting third and Lando Norris in fifth, McLaren’s pace did not materialize as anticipated at Marina Bay.
George Russell’s pole lap was 0.182s faster than Max Verstappen, leaving Piastri trailing by 0.366s in qualifying.
Piastri mentioned the challenge of Singapore’s hot and humid conditions, which did not suit the Mercedes, contributing to the unexpected results.
While disappointed by the gap to the front, Piastri highlighted the need to analyze their performance and focus on improving for the race.
Overall, Piastri emphasized the difficulty of overtaking at the Singapore track and acknowledged McLaren’s recent struggles, tempering expectations for the upcoming race.
