Piastri Surprised by McLaren Pace Deficit Behind Russell, Verstappen Singapore Qualifying

Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri expressed surprise and frustration over McLaren's lack of pace in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, where he secured third place behind Mercedes' George Russell and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Despite a strong showing in practice sessions, Piastri noted that McLaren could not match the improvements made by their rivals during qualifying, leaving them off the front row for the second consecutive race. McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who qualified fifth, cited difficulties with getting the front tires up to optimal temperature as a key issue affecting their performance. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the challenges McLaren faced on street circuits with braking, bumps, and curbs, which have also impacted their competitiveness in recent races. Piastri remains focused on maximizing his race performance and extending his championship lead, emphasizing he will not play it safe despite the tough overtaking conditions on the Singapore circuit. Both drivers and the team recognize that their competitors, particularly Mercedes and Red Bull, have improved significantly, which has shifted the competitive landscape in recent events.