Piastri ‘excited for the future’ after McLaren’s performance in Imola as he rues impact of penalty

McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed Piastri’s comments about what might have been, with the American suggesting that the squad could have scored a double podium had the circumstances worked out better.

“Unfortunately we had the mistake with Oscar in qualifying,” Brown explained. “He came through, was faster than Carlos, probably could have been quicker than [Charles] Leclerc if we’d got him the track position, but we’ll take a second and fourth.”

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Acknowledging that the circuit is a “difficult track to pass on”, Brown added that the team “owe” Piastri following the error in qualifying.

The next chance to make up for this will be in just a few days’ time when the Monaco Grand Prix weekend takes place from May 24-26, and Brown is hopeful about what McLaren can continue to achieve going forwards.

“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing, but we know [in] Formula 1 nothing ever sits still,” he added. “I think we’ve just got to keep doing everything that the men and women at McLaren are doing. If we keep pushing hard and we keep out-developing the competition, maybe we’ll finish seven tenths ahead next time.”