Brake issues stop Piastri's progress in Miami
Monday, 8 May 2023
Oscar Piastri's first-lap promise flamed out in Florida, braking issues seeing the McLaren driver finish where he started in 19th place.
Braking issues have dented Oscar Piastri's chances of recovering from a disappointing qualifying performance in Miami, the Australian starting and finishing in 19th place after a compromised 57-lap race in Florida on Sunday.
The McLaren driver was caught out by increased track temperatures and subsequent lack of grip in qualifying on Saturday, Piastri knocked out in Q1 along with McLaren teammate Lando Norris in a super-tight midfield group. Norris missed Q2 by just 0.069secs to start 16th, and while Piastri was just 0.090secs slower than his teammate, the time difference was enough to condemn him to a back-row start.
Piastri was one of the big movers when the lights went out on Sunday, scything forwards to gain five places on lap one to end the opening tour in 14th place. Both McLarens began the race on soft tyres to make the most of the extra grip they provided in an attempt to make places on a track where passing off-line was treacherous all weekend, meaning it was little surprise that Piastri pitted to take hard Pirellis to the end of the race on lap five.
Soon after his stop, McLaren confirmed that Piastri was struggling with a brake-by-wire problem, compromising his braking performance at a circuit that features several big stops, notably at the end of the long straights at Turns 11 and 17.
With no strategic benefit to stopping again for tyres and at the back of the pack in a race where all 20 drivers finished, it was a lonely afternoon from there for Piastri, who finished a lap down from race winner Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) in 19th place.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised Piastri for his "excellent" tenacity after the race, confirming the team had considered withdrawing him from the Grand Prix as his rear brakes were overheating, Piastri overshooting several corners as he was forced to only use the front brakes.
"I think we are pretty clear on where we need to improve," Piastri said.
"You've got to go through some tough times to learn some stuff sometimes, and this was definitely one of those times.
"I had a cool first lap at least, that was my highlight of the weekend. We had a failure six or seven laps in on the brake-by-wire system, I was managing a lot of issues after that. Otherwise, a frustrating afternoon, trying to drive around all of the issues."
Piastri fell three places to 14th overall in the drivers' championship after Miami, with Alpine pair Pierre Gasly (eighth) and Esteban Ocon (ninth) both scoring points in Florida.
Oscar's Miami Grand Prix by the numbers
- Qualified: 19th
- Race: 19th
- Pit stops/tyres: Lap 5 (soft/hard)
- Fastest lap: 1min 32.006secs (18th), lap 56
- Points this event: 0
- Points this season: 4 (14th in world championship)
