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Rookie racing prodigy Oscar Piastri has once again made headlines, this time leading a lap in Formula 1 for the first time during Saturday's Sprint at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps. This is another significant milestone in Piastri's rapidly evolving career, and one that has left the young McLaren driver beaming with satisfaction and ambition.
A Day to Remember
“Leading a few laps for the first time is a day I won't forget,” Piastri shared, still visibly elated after the race. He went on to add, “I’m very, very happy. We tried our best. We boxed when the Safety Car came in, but ultimately we were no match for Max." Despite not clinching the top spot, Piastri was pleased to finish in the second position (P2).
He was generous in his praise for his team, crediting them for their recent successes. "I think apart from Max our pace was really strong. Full credit to the team again. The last three weekends we’ve had have been pretty special compared to where we have been, so I can’t thank them enough for the car," he expressed.
Piastri also acknowledged there's room for improvement. "We’ve still got a little bit of work to do, clearly, to get right to the top, but it’s a lot nicer to be up there," he reflected.
The Unforgettable Race
Recounting the race, Piastri revealed his strategy during the wet/intermediate split and the pivotal moment when Max Verstappen reclaimed the lead down the Kemmel Straight. "I thought the Safety Car was going to be in my favour, it meant less laps to try and hold him behind.
But I couldn’t keep him behind on the straight," he recalled. Nevertheless, Piastri remained optimistic. "But I’m very happy to get the good points. [It’s my] first top three in [an F1] race, so I’ll enjoy it and hopefully we can have a good race tomorrow," he affirmed.
Looking forward, Piastri is set to start Sunday’s main Grand Prix from fifth on the grid, with Verstappen, who recently dropped from P1 to P6 due to a gearbox penalty, right behind him. As the young McLaren driver continues to etch his name in the annals of Formula 1, fans worldwide are watching his progress with bated breath, eager to see what this rising star will accomplish next.
