Oscar Piastri blamed an absence of rhythm on the F1 Monaco Grand Prix as Lando Norris gained extra floor within the title race.
Piastri may solely end third in Monaco on Sunday, 3.6s behind McLaren teammate Norris, who received the race.
The end result means there are simply three factors between Piastri and Norris on the high of the drivers’ championship heading into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
In contrast to in lots of races this 12 months, it was Piastri who was extra uncomfortable behind the wheel of the MCL39.
After qualifying, Piastri described his weekend as much as that time as “messy” as he misplaced out to Norris and Charles Leclerc.
Reflecting on the race within the FIA press convention, Piastri stated: “Just about precisely how I anticipated. I feel there was plenty of motion behind, so possibly that was a bit completely different.
“However from the place I used to be at, it panned out just about how I assumed. It positively made the tempo of the race a bit larger, actually in comparison with final 12 months. So from the cockpit, it was somewhat bit extra intense.
“We’re nonetheless not pushing flat out, however it simply made sure factors of the race a bit extra tense.”
Piastri struggled with Monaco “rhythm”
In a bid to get forward of Leclerc, McLaren stopped Piastri two laps earlier.
Nonetheless, a barely gradual pit cease – and being too far behind the Ferrari driver within the first place – meant he wasn’t in a position to transfer up the order.
Piastri blamed an absence of rhythm going into qualifying.
“Every thing felt okay, however you’re not likely pushing it to the restrict within the race,” Piastri added.
“I used to be fairly pleased with it in qualifying. I feel we acquired there ultimately. It was extra simply struggling to get right into a rhythm earlier than qualifying. And round right here, you pay the value for not having that clear run into quali.
“In order that’s the place I feel our weekend acquired away from us somewhat bit. However the tempo was nonetheless good, simply making an attempt to get all the things out of it. Each single lap was powerful yesterday. And at this time, we tried a couple of issues to get larger than third, however it didn’t work.”
