Oscar Piastri assigns blame for costly Azerbaijan GP qualifying shunt

Oscar Piastri has conceded he alone was to blame for his crash during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The championship leader made a rare error during Q3 as he went deep into Turn 3 and collided with the barrier, inflicting significant damage to his car.

It left Piastri ninth in the order at the end of the session, and Sunday's grand prix is due to be the first time this year he starts a race outside the top four.

Piastri has endured a difficult weekend thus far, but admitted he was feeling more comfortable in qualifying compared to Friday.

“Today, I felt much happier with the car and the job I was doing,” Piastri told media including RacingNews365.

“It was just a bit difficult to get it all together. That was the biggest thing, but the potential was there.

“Whereas yesterday, it was arguable if it was. I was much happier today - ultimately, I think I tried a bit too hard in Turn 3.”

Piastri stated he was caught out by the run into the barrier, feeling the conditions and his driving style did not differ from his previous attempt.

“I haven't actually looked at what I did differently, because I didn't feel like I did that much differently,” he said.

“A tiny bit can make a massive difference. Obviously disappointed with how I performed.

“There was a bit of rain around, yes, so I don't know if that contributed. I don't know if I got a gust of wind, I don't know.

“I've never been one to blame it on something other than myself.

“That’s what I'm going to stick with until I see something that tells me otherwise.”