Formula 1: McLaren boss assures Oscar Piastri he can still be champion despite Qatar debacle
After team’s error costs Australian the race, leaving him third overall, Andrea Stella cites examples of past champions who won from third
Oscar Piastri was robbed of victory in Qatar but the Australian can take hope from history in his bid to become Formula One champion next weekend, according to McLaren boss Andrea Stella.
The 24-year-old did everything right at the Lusail circuit, winning the Saturday sprint from pole position and leading Sunday’s race from pole until a team strategy blunder left him having to settle for second to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Australian said he was speechless with what had happened and McLaren were quick to apologise for a mistake that left him third overall and 16 points behind teammate Lando Norris, who finished fourth.
Verstappen is second, 12 off the lead.
“Clearly Oscar was in control of the race and deserved to win it, and we lost the podium as well with Lando,” Stella told reporters.
“Oscar, from a points point of view, is definitely in condition to win the title,” added the Italian.