Oscar Piastri claims his Japanese Grand Prix fate was determined following a lackluster qualifying session at Suzuka, where he sought to provoke team orders but was unsuccessful.
The Australian qualified third, behind teammate Lando Norris and polesitter Max Verstappen, where they all finished the race.
It puts him 13 points back in the drivers’ championship race, but he has now surpassed George Russell.
When asked if the result of the grand prix was established through qualifying at a Suzuka track where it is notoriously difficult to overtake, Piastri agreed.
“Yes, correct,” he said after the chequered flag. “The pace today was really, really good, and I was very happy with that.
“Obviously, I got close a few times and tried to mount the challenge, but track position around here is just so important.
“So yeah, I think yesterday was the day where you effectively won the race and [I] didn’t do a good enough job, so I’ll take the podium.
“There’s still a lot of positives to take out of this weekend. I think the pace was mega. Next time, I just have to make sure I’m in a better position to use it.”
