Piastri ready to kick off European run with Austrian attack

Oscar Piastri is gearing up for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, looking to capitalise on his strong performance at the Red Bull Ring last year as Formula 1® returns to the picturesque Styrian Alps.

The Australian McLaren driver, who secured an impressive second-place finish at this circuit last year, has made his intentions clear ahead of the race in Spielberg. "I finished second in Austria last year and the aim is to go one better this year," Piastri stated confidently. "I want to start this run of European races on the front foot and attack the weekend."

After a challenging Canadian Grand Prix where Piastri managed to salvage a fourth-place finish while his teammate Lando Norris struggled to 18th, the McLaren team will be eager to return to the podium. Despite this setback, the team maintains a commanding 175-point advantage in the Constructors' Championship and has remarkably scored points in every round since the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull Ring holds special significance for McLaren, who are tied with Ferrari for the most Austrian Grand Prix wins in Formula 1® history. Their impressive record includes victories from Austrian legend Niki Lauda, as well as Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen, and David Coulthard. It was also the venue where Norris claimed his first Formula 1® podium.

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Piastri has been diligently preparing for this weekend's challenge, spending valuable time at the McLaren factory with his engineers. "It's now time to take that information to track and get our heads down as we look to score some strong results," he explained.

The 4.318km Red Bull Ring presents unique challenges that Piastri will need to navigate. With an elevation change of 63.3m from the lowest to the highest point of the circuit, drivers face varying conditions that impact power, downforce, and grip. The track's layout demands different setups for its two distinct sections – the first half requiring power and low drag across three straights, while the second half rewards high downforce through several quick corners in succession.

Piastri seems to embrace these challenges, noting, "It's a short track but it's a fun one to drive and I enjoy the combination of the straights and downhill quick corners."

Adding to the weekend's intrigue, Formula 2 Championship leader Alex Dunne will replace Norris in Free Practice 1 as part of McLaren's commitment to field rookie drivers in at least four FP1 sessions this season. This will mark Dunne's first competitive mileage in a Formula 1® car.

Weather could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the race. Situated approximately 700m above sea level, the Red Bull Ring is known for its unpredictable conditions that can change dramatically from one lap to another. This often leads to challenging strategic decisions, particularly when the track rapidly transitions between wet and dry states.

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the significance of the venue in the team's recent resurgence: "The Spielberg circuit is a track that has provided a number of positive results for the team in recent years, notably the competitive weekend we had there in 2023, which can be seen as a turning point in our journey to becoming a World Championship winning team."

As the Formula 1® season approaches its halfway point, Piastri is focused on delivering a strong performance to maintain McLaren's momentum. "The team are doing an awesome job, and I can't wait to get in the car," he concluded, clearly eager to tackle the challenges of the Austrian Grand Prix.