Oscar Piastri was keen to respond to suspicions about the McLaren F1 rear wing and its “mini DRS” effect noticed in Baku.
Without questioning its legality according to current standards, the FIA nevertheless stressed this morning that it was putting this wing under surveillance and is considering actions to better control the flexibility at this location if necessary.
Asked about this at today’s press conference in Singapore, Piastri insisted that this design is not the only one responsible for the MCL38’s current pace.
“Well, it’s legal,” Piastri already says as a reminder.
“As long as it passes all the tests – and we’re tested often, it passes, so it’s certainly not the magic ticket or the silver bullet that we’re competitive for.”
“It’s legal, it passes all the tests, so I’m pretty happy with it.”
Piastri insisted the first time he knew the wing was bending like this was after the Baku race, and that it was an example of McLaren pushing the technical rules to the limit.
“To be honest, the first time I knew it was happening like this with our wing was the same time as everyone else last week, and it’s not a grey area like some people say.”
“He’s tested every week, it’s legal and they have a lot of different tests for rear wings now, so honestly I didn’t know he was doing that until three days ago.”
“Obviously in sport you find all the performances possible without breaking the rules, and that’s what we do and what you have to do to have a championship-winning car and team.”
Piastri also spoke at the conference about team orders and said McLaren was prepared to use him to help Lando Norris try to win the drivers’ championship if the circumstances arose at the Singapore Grand Prix.
“My win in Baku last weekend didn’t really change much in McLaren’s approach.”
“Lando is still leading the championship and, to be honest, he has a more realistic chance of winning the championship.”
“If I’m able to win races, that’s what I want to do. But naturally, if there are times when I can help Lando try to win the championship, then I’ll be happy to help if I can.”
“I think for me, maintaining the lead in the constructors’ championship is now a much bigger goal. I’m not out of the running for the drivers’ championship, but I need to score more than ten points per weekend than Max, I think. So I can try to win every race, but I’m at the point now where I need other things to happen to win. And for that to happen for seven races in a row is not very realistic.”
“Of course I’m going to try to approach every weekend trying to get the best possible result and if the picture starts to clear up a bit then that’ll be a bonus. But I’m certainly under no illusion that I’m not really in the championship fight. It’s more that if crazy things happen I’ll be there to fight my way into the fight but the priority is certainly Lando.”
