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Oscar Piastri

Red Bull handed F1 title warning following latest McLaren charge

Oscar Piastri is not shutting down the notion that McLaren could challenge Red Bull for the F1 constructors' crown after the Woking team's forward step.

Piastri Monaco
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Oscar Piastri has not dismissed the possibility of McLaren fighting Red Bull for the Constructors' championship after consecutive weekends where the team fought for victory.

The Woking squad brought comprehensive upgrades to the Miami Grand Prix, which resulted in a more competitive weekend for both Piastri and Norris - the latter made the most of the safety car to take his first grand prix victory.

The following round, in Imola, saw the Australian also provided with the full suite of updates, having run half the package in Florida. He would have started the grand prix alongside Max Verstappen were it not for a post-qualifying penalty, but again, Norris was able to fight the Dutchman for the win - this time coming off second-best.

This uptick in form for McLaren has led to suggestions the team could start to take the fight to Red Bull in the hunt for the constructors' championship - something Piastri did not shut down.

"In the Constructors', of course, it's possible to mount a challenge," he told media including RacingNews365. "If both of us [Piastri and Norris] are scoring good points week in, week out.

"But, it's been two weekends that we've been able to fight for a win. We need to make sure that we can do that consistently first, and if you do that, then naturally the championship kind of starts to come towards you.

 "So, we'll focus on being quick first, and then we'll see what results we can get."

'I don't even know where I am'

Whilst Norris has taken 43 points from the previous two rounds - further building upon a strong second-position in the event prior, the Chinese Grand Prix - Piastri has had to settle for just 15 points, including three from the Miami sprint.

Both the rounds in the United States and Italy were cases of 'what might have been' for the 23-year-old, and having started the season well, he has fallen away against Norris in recent races. 

With 53 points to his team-mate's 101, the Australian asserts he is not in the drivers' title fight, with leader Verstappen a further 60 points ahead of the other McLaren.

"I don't think so this year. I think it's going to be very, very tough," he contended when asked if he feels of his Drivers' chances.

"Especially for the drivers' championship, for me - I don't even know where I am. I'm a long way behind. So, I'm not focusing on that at all."

Also interesting:

In the latest episode of the RacingNews365.com podcast, Ian Parkes, Samuel Coop and Nick Golding look back at this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen and Lando Norris went head-to-head for the victory around the famous Imola Circuit as McLaren continue to pile the pressure on Red Bull!

Rather watch than listen to the podcast? Click here.

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