Piastri admits McLaren need to review key area after Dutch GP as he reflects on ‘disappointing’ weekend

Oscar Piastri stated that there will be “some things to look at” for himself and McLaren following the Dutch Grand Prix after missing out on a podium finish and having to settle for fourth position.

Piastri started the race in P3, behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, but both McLaren drivers lost ground when the lights went out – the Australian being jumped by George Russell and the Briton by his Red Bull rival.

READ MORE: Norris fights back against Verstappen to end home hero’s run of Dutch GP wins

While Norris recovered to reclaim the lead from Verstappen and ultimately take victory, Piastri lost further, crucial track position as a result of staying out longer than any of his front-running rivals in the opening stint.

Piastri emerged from his sole stop in fifth position, behind Russell and Charles Leclerc, and although his tyre advantage helped him clear the Mercedes, it was not enough to repeat the trick on the Ferrari – leaving him fourth at the chequered flag.

“It’s a shame,” commented Piastri, when asked to reflect on his afternoon at the wheel and missing out on a podium finish.

“I think just a pretty disappointing weekend, to be honest. Qualifying was not as strong as I needed it to be, and neither was the race.

READ MORE: ‘We’re not quick enough’ – Verstappen eager for Red Bull gains after losing out to McLaren rival Norris on home soil

“Obviously, the start was pretty poor for both of us [McLaren drivers], and there’s something to review there for us as a team, then I couldn’t really make the progress that I needed.

“I just got stuck in the dirty air and, from that point onwards, it was a pretty painful afternoon, so definitely some things to look at.”

Piastri then explained the thinking behind his extended first stint, having stayed out on track five laps longer than race-winning team mate Norris before swapping his medium tyres for hards.

“I think once we got undercut by Leclerc, our only option was to go long, really,” he said, referring to the Monegasque’s stop nine laps earlier.

“I think it worked well on Russell, but by the time I got back to Leclerc, it was a bit too late and then the tyre advantage had pretty much disappeared.

HIGHLIGHTS: Catch the action from the Dutch Grand Prix as Norris beats Verstappen to victory with stunning drive

“A bit of a shame, but I think there are other things to work on from the weekend as well.”

Despite the disappointment of not making the podium, Piastri’s points helped McLaren cut the gap to Red Bull in the constructors’ standings once more – the margin now standing at 30 points.

DISCOVER MORE...

Krack says ‘the door is always open’ for Verstappen at Aston Martin after Newey agrees to join from Red Bull

NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

‘It became very clear and obvious’ – Newey on his Aston Martin move and teaming up with ‘arch-enemy’ Alonso

ANALYSIS: 'I’ve never been more certain' – How Lawrence Stroll fended off the competition to snap up ‘bargain’ Adrian Newey

THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the latest news and F1 history in Baku