Australian F1 star Oscar Piastri was robbed of qualifying podium over F1 prank that saw his best time deleted
- McLaren star summoned for podium interview
- I had to say he was deprived of time
- Will feature the Qatar GP in 6th place
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Australian ace Oscar Piastri found himself at the center of an F1 farce that spoiled qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Piastri was among several drivers to lose their fastest laps for exceeding the white lines defining the edge of the track during their final qualifying laps.
But the stewards were so slow to remove their times that Piastri – who was then expected to post the third fastest time – was in the middle of giving the usual post-session interview with the top three when he discovered that his time had been removed and he had been demoted to sixth place.
“I didn’t know, but it’s fun, isn’t it?” Don’t know who the top 3 are? he said.
“It’s obviously a shame… I just pushed a little hard on the last lap. Too bad because the car looked fast.
British Mercedes driver George Russell, Red Bull Racing champion Max Verstappen and Piatri pose for photos from the podium, although the Australian was robbed of his best time.
The media were not informed of the time changes and Piastri had to tell them that his best lap had been removed.
“We’ll obviously have another chance tomorrow in the (Sprint Shootout) and then the Sprint as well, so we’ll see what we can do. It’s very tight and it’s so easy to make mistakes. The track is also very slippery, which doesn’t make our job any easier. But we will obviously try again.
“It’s a shame we’re a little further behind now for the main race where there are the most points, but there are definitely points to be won tomorrow.”
Even after being informed of the demotion, Piastri still posed for the usual top-three photo.
He was even interviewed and had to tell the reporter that he hadn’t completed P3 at all.
“I don’t think anyone has updated you yet, but I deleted my ride so I’m not P3 anymore, I think I’m P6,” he said.
Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris also had a time deleted.
He had set a fairly quick time for second place at the time, which promoted George Russell’s Mercedes to second place and Piastri to third, before Piastri’s time was also deleted, which promoted Lewis Hamilton in third.
Norris will start 10th.
Back at the front, Max Verstappen underlined why he is set to win a third consecutive title by qualifying on pole.
He can clinch the title in Sunday’s sprint race.