Piastri rues his mistake at Turn 14 for “disappointing” qualifying result

Having dominated Friday’s sprint qualifying session, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri failed to replicate what he did on the opening day at the Belgian Grand Prix, ending up only second on the grid for the race.

After yesterday's dominant showing in the sprint qualifying, Oscar Piastri lost the lead in the Spa F1 Sprint when reigning champion Max Verstappen picked him off on the opening lap.

The Australian managed to stay within DRS window all through the 100km dash, but he failed to regain the lead, and had to settle for only second place.

Three hours later, Piastri looked to struggle slightly to replicate his eye-catching pace from the sprint qualifying, and even if he raised his game come Q3, he ended up second behind his main championship rival Lando Norris.

Asked to assess his qualifying, Piastri said: “A bit disappointing, yes. The second lap was coming together really well and just made a little mistake into 14 and lost a lot of time.

“So yeah, disappointed. Felt like the car was very good again, but it's fine margins out there. Obviously not a bad place to be starting, but I think there was more in it which is always disappointing.

Asked whether he was surprised by how Norris was able to improve throughout the weekend, the Melbourne-born driver stated:”I don't know. I mean, I think we're a good team-mate pairing and we learn a lot from each other every weekend.

“That's what makes us such a good team but it also makes it difficult when you're trying to fight each other. So, I don't know. I feel like I did an okay job today, just didn't quite execute when it mattered and yeah, a bit of a shame.

Signing off with a word for his expectations for the race, Piastri said: “I mean after the Sprint I was aiming for P2. I don't know what the weather's going to hold tomorrow.

“I think it's going to be quite different. So, we'll wait and see what we get. But yeah, try and have a good race.”