Oscar Piastri believes his love of Spa-Francorchamps performed a job in him being comfortably quickest in Dash qualifying forward of the Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren opted for a better downforce setting that provides the automobile good efficiency within the corners by the center sector, however barely much less prime pace within the first and final sectors. It was an method that labored for Piastri as he was practically half a second away from Max Verstappen, and 0.6s forward of teammate Lando Norris, in a dominant Dash qualifying show.
• Sprint qualifying report: Piastri blitzes field again
“It was a great lap,” Piastri mentioned. “A little bit scared in SQ2 with the lap deletion [for exceeding track limits at Raidillon], however the automobile’s been mega all day and I really feel like I have been in a position to put in lots of good laps. So due to the staff, the automobile’s been nice and it is a observe I like.
“It is my favourite one of many yr and, I do not know, possibly that gave me a few additional tenths! Nevertheless it’s at all times good enjoyable round right here and when the automobile’s dealing with in addition to it’s right now, it is a pleasure.
“The automobile has been in a great window from lap one and it is a observe I at all times take pleasure in coming to. I do not know why, however I believe I’ve had good confidence. I really feel like the previous few weekends have been good from a tempo perspective, however not a lot from a outcomes perspective, so it is good to get a end result for that.”
Whereas the margin was massive within the last lap occasions, Pink Bull took the alternative method to McLaren, with Verstappen significantly fast within the first and third sectors. That makes Piastri weak to assault at first on Saturday, one thing he’s cautious of given the influence of a slipstream early on.
“I have to go and look. The Pink Bulls had been very fast in a straight line in follow – I do not know if that was the identical in Dash qualifying, however that makes life troublesome and Spa might be the worst observe to have pole place at, so let’s have a look at. However I believe the tempo within the automobile is actually sturdy and I’ve felt good right now, so hopefully we are able to have a great day tomorrow.”
