Piastri reveals Red Bull surprise after Q3 shortcoming

Oscar Piastri has revealed that he was "surprised" at Red Bull not being in the fight for pole position, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

Both Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen looked competitive throughout practice, Q1 and Q2, yet the pair could only manage fourth and sixth on the grid, respectively. 

It was Charles Leclerc who claimed pole for the fourth consecutive season in Baku, with Piastri alongside him on the front row. 

Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes have all looked competitive this weekend, making qualifying closer to the front more important. 

When asked which team has the best package in Azerbaijan, Piastri told select media including RacingNews365: "Probably whoever finishes in front, I would say! 

“I don't know. I think it's very, very even. Through all of practice it looked very tight between us, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. 

"To be honest, I was a bit surprised Red Bull wasn't a bit further up at the end of Q3, but I think our race pace looked good yesterday, but nowadays the top four teams are so close in race pace that qualifying often makes a massive difference. 

"So I've got confidence that our car will be quick. I think there's definitely seven other cars out on the track that are certainly not any slower."

Piastri unsurprised by own performance

Whilst Piastri was caught by surprise at Red Bull not being in the fight for pole, the Australian was unsurprised at his own performance. 

The McLaren driver expected to be one of the quickest in qualifying, despite Lando Norris being unhappy with the car on Friday. 

Piastri had no complaints about the car on Friday and continued to build in confidence on Saturday, putting him in contention for a second victory of the season.

When asked if he had any complaints about the car on Friday like Norris, Piastri said: "Honestly, I was pretty happy with it. We had a bit to find for sure. I think I said on Friday I felt like we were in the ball park. 

"And yeah, I'm not massively surprised to be sat here [in the top three]. I definitely didn't feel like we were the quickest on Friday. 

"But, again, I feel like it's so close between the top four teams that you never quite know who's going to come out on top. Red Bull were looking very quick at certain points. 

"Ferrari obviously looking very quick. Even Mercedes at points as well. I always thought we were in a pretty good place. So, yeah, not that surprised to be here."