Piastri ‘didn’t feel terribly comfortable’ in US GP Qualifying as he sets out aim from P6

Oscar Piastri has admitted that he “didn’t really feel terribly comfortable” during Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix, with the Australian aiming to “make up some ground” on Sunday after ending the session in P6.

The weekend so far at the Circuit of The Americas has not been entirely smooth for Piastri, having been unable to match the pace of McLaren team mate Lando Norris in Friday’s sessions.

While both drivers suffered a nightmare start to the Sprint on Saturday – with both eliminated on Lap 1 during a first corner collision – Piastri was the one to face a tougher outing in Qualifying, the championship leader having to settle for sixth place on the grid in contrast to Norris up in P2.

“[It was] just a tricky session,” Piastri conceded after jumping out of the car. “I didn’t really feel terribly comfortable out there, and I think the lap time shows. A tricky session but it’s still a long race tomorrow, a lot can happen so we’ll try and make up some ground.”

When asked what had caused his difficulties in the session – and whether it had been down to lacking confidence in the car – the 24-year-old went on to explain: “Just a little bit unpredictable.

“I think it was very tight for the positions ahead of me, so I think compared to yesterday it didn’t feel quite as comfortable or as quick. But yeah, some things to try and look at and see why it was so tough.”

Piastri will be joined on the third row of the grid by the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton, while the other Scuderia car of Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell sit ahead in third and fourth respectively.

While his non-finish in the Sprint means that his points tally of 336 has not increased, Piastri enters Sunday’s race with a 22-point lead over Norris in the championship standings, while Max Verstappen trails the leader by 55 points.