Zak Brown reveals ‘critical’ factor that could deny Oscar Piastri Chinese GP win

Zak Brown has pinpointed the need for clean air as a "critical" factor that could make or break the Chinese Grand Prix for Oscar Piastri. 

The Australian bagged a maiden F1 pole position in Shanghai to make it two pole positions in a row for McLaren to start the season, with Lando Norris slotting into third place as George Russell split the Woking cars.

In the Sprint earlier on Saturday, Piastri was tucked up behind Max Verstappen for most of the race, eventually slicing his way past but destroyed his tyres in the process as Lewis Hamilton escaped for the win. 

Hamilton's victory was built on the ability to look after his tyres in the clean air afforded to him, with Pirelli estimating a three-stop race is a possibility owing to the tyre life. 

Looking ahead to the race, Brown also expanded on the "critical" factor of clean air which proved beneficial to Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Sprint as Piastri and Max Verstappen fought over second place, destroying their tyres.

"It is critical around here," Brown told Sky Sports F1.

"When I spoke with Oscar when he got past Max in the Sprint, I was kind of expecting him to close the gap to Lewis, and Lewis left. 

"I think that clean air is pretty critical around this track in particular, so hopefully we'll get a good start and be in some clear air.

"It's been a tricky weekend for us, and we know we've had the pace in the car, but the Sprint race was great for Oscar and less so for Lando, but I'm sure Lando is a little bit grumpy he's not on that front-row with him, but he can see him.

"It is awesome to have Oscar get his first pole, he's been so close, and it was a mega lap, only he and George improved on the second lap, I think the wind direction changed so it was an awesome third sector. 

"I know the year is short, but we've been saying it is going to be a really close season, and if you miss a sector, or lock a wheel, you will be P6 instead of P1, so it is certainly nice to be here."