Piastri rues mistakes "in a couple of corners" after Abu Dhabi qualifying

F1 Grand Prix, GP Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

Having completed a one-two for McLaren in qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has blamed his mistakes "in a couple of corners" for losing out to his team-mate Lando Norris.

McLaren go in search of their first constructors’ title since 1998 today in Abu Dhabi. The British outfit heads into the race 21 points clear of rivals Ferrari, the only team still able to deny them constructors’ glory.

After Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the front row for the papaya team, McLaren has put itself in the box seat to achieve that feat today. The qualifying's results backed up McLaren's one-two finishes in Free Practices 2 and 3 despite the challenges posed by Ferrari and Red Bull in the early stages of qualifying.

Asked to explain how delighted he was with his final qualifying lap, Piastri acknowledged that he made mistake in a couple of corners.

"It wasn't the best final lap. There's a couple of corners that I definitely would like to have again. But, you know, I'll take the front row. You know, it's been a bit of a tricky few weekends in qualifying.

"So, you know, the result at least is nice. But yeah, I knew that there was a couple of places immediately where I left a bit on the table. So, nope, that's how it is at the top end of the sport. You can't leave anything there because you’ll get eaten alive. And unfortunately did that today. And, you know, that's why I'm not on pole. So, yeah, probably wish I had that one again."

In Q3, Piastri has his first flying lap deleted for track limits, but it was reinstated moments later. The Melbourne-born driver explained that the uncertainty slightly affected the preparations for his second and final lap.

"It didn't help, but I knew starting the lap or even leaving the pits that that lap was at least on the board again, but I knew that I would need more to keep at least that position, or obviously I want to go for pole.

"So I knew I needed more anyway. And I found a bit more, just not quite enough. So yeah, it was a slightly stressful few minutes. I didn't really dwell on it too much but I did think I was in. Clearly it was so close that they've probably given me the benefit of the doubt, but yeah it wasn't exactly ideal."

Last weekend saw Red Bull join McLaren at the sharp end of the field in Qatar, while it is Ferrari to pose the closest challenge to the Woking-based outfit at the Yas Marina Circuit.

"I think it is extremely tight and not just with the teams we expected it to be tight with. You know, you've got a pretty jumbled up grid the whole way through.

Piastri continued: "You know, Haas have looked very quick at points. Obviously, Hülkenberg's on the second row. Yeah, I think our pace through practice was, we almost felt it was a bit too good to be true and I think when we got to qualifying, that was potentially the case a bit. I think there's no questioning that we've clearly had a strong car and the strongest this weekend.

"It was all coming a little bit too easily to believe in practice. So, you know, we still had our work cut out for us. Q1 and Q2 weren't as straightforward as we would have liked as a team, I think. But, yeah, Q3 was a little bit more comfortable again. And, yeah, a 1-2 was nice. But I definitely didn't think this was guaranteed going into the week."