Oscar Piastri impresses with Jeddah qualifying performance
Oscar Piastri impressed on Saturday in Jeddah as he qualified ninth for the Saudi Arabian grand prix.
Oscar Piastri in the paddock during the Saudi Arabian grand prix. (XPB Images)
With teammate Lando Norris out with a broken steering arm it was up to Piastri to carry the hopes of McLaren on their recovery after a dismal season opener in Bahrain.
Piastri improved in each session through practice on the difficult Jeddah circuit and kept up his pace in qualifying, setting the ninth-fastest time which will see him start eighth after Charles Leclerc’s grid penalty.
“P8 on the grid!” said the Australian.
“It was nice to get into Q3. I'm super happy to be in the top ten and it was a good experience to do all three quali sessions.”
“Now we’ll work hard to make the most of this position and bring home a positive result in the race tomorrow."
Team Principal Andrea Stella thanked everyone in the McLaren team for their work in delivering upgrades after Bahrain, while Piastri impressed those at the front of the grid.
“It’s impressive,” said Leclerc.
“Especially after a year off, and second race in a street track – and a very challenging one, probably one of the most challenging of the season – to see him have such a performance, is great.”
“However, it's not really a surprise with what he has shown in the past.”
“I was pretty sure that he was extremely talented, and he has shown that today so it's good.”
“I think the grid is in a really good place at the moment with all the drivers there.”
Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso were impressed by Oscar Piastri’s performance in Jeddah. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
For Fernando Alonso, who will start on the front row for the grand prix, it was “nothing new” for Piastri.
“He has this huge talent.”
“Very tricky place.”
“So, I'm happy for him and happy for McLaren as well.”
“We need, you know, a strong McLaren as well in the fight.”
The next test for Piastri is the Saudi Arabian grand prix, which begins at 4.00am Monday (AEDT).
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