Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, has shared his astonishment over Oscar Piastri’s remarkable performance at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished second behind teammate Lando Norris. The initial stages of the race showcased an intense battle between Norris and Piastri, with the latter’s ability to closely trail his teammate without excessive tyre degradation leaving Horner both impressed and puzzled.
Horner expressed his disbelief at how Piastri managed to maintain such proximity to Norris, especially considering the car’s heavy fuel load at the race’s start. He noted, "I can’t see any other team being able to do it," highlighting the impressive balance and tyre management of McLaren’s car. Horner remarked, "He’s basically making love to his f—ing exhaust pipe for lap after lap, and the tyres are not dying. That to me is their advantage."
The intricacies of Formula 1 aerodynamics typically lead to significant ‘dirty air’ generated from front-running cars, which can make it challenging for trailing cars to maintain grip. This turbulence reduces downforce on subsequent cars, causing increased tyre wear and overheating. Generally, drivers can only endure this ‘dirty air’ for a brief period before losing grip and falling back. Additionally, the race was held in high temperatures, reaching the mid-30s Celsius for air and over 50 degrees for the track.
Despite these challenges, Piastri managed to keep within one second of Norris, exerting pressure leading up to the first pit stop. McLaren has demonstrated exceptional rear-tyre temperature control throughout the season, with their performance notably benefiting from the hot conditions, as previously seen in races in China and Spain.
As the F1 season approaches the midpoint with the upcoming British Grand Prix, McLaren’s capability to balance speed and tyre management stands out, positioning them as a formidable presence in the championship. The team’s success has been undeniable, and Horner’s comments underscore the exceptional nature of Piastri’s and Norris’s performances in Austria.