LAS VEGAS: Oscar Piastri said there had been some “tough moments” as his commanding Formula One lead evaporated, but he was “looking forward to getting back in the car in Vegas” this weekend.
The Australian started the season in style with four wins in the first nine races. After his fifth victory in round 15 in the Netherlands, Piastri led McLaren team-mate Lando Norris by 34 points.
Yet, going into round 22 in Nevada this weekend, Piastri trails Norris by 24 points.
“I was particularly strong in the first half of the season. Even though things aren’t going as well now, I don’t think I should have done anything differently recently,” he said.
“There’s going to be bumps along the road.”
There are a maximum of 83 points available in the last three races and the sprint on the final weekend in Qatar.
Asked if he needed to win them all, Piastri replied: “That would help!“
“It’s going to be difficult now to try and win but the mentality of trying to go out each week and get the most out of it is still there,” he added.
His problems have started in qualifying, leaving him pressing to catch up when the flag drops.
In the first 15 races of the season, Piastri secured five pole positions and was second on the grid five times. In the last six, he has not started from the front row.
In round 16 in Monza, Piastri was edged on to the second row by reigning champion Max Verstappen and by Norris.
In the race, Piastri climbed to second because the McLaren pit crew botched a Norris tire change. The team asked Piastri to give the place back, which he did. The difference between second and third meant a six-point swing to Norris.
The following race in Baku was a disaster as Piastri made, what he called, “silly mistakes.” He crashed in qualifying, started ninth on the grid, virtually stalled at the start, dropped to last and then crashed into a wall.
That ended a run of 34 consecutive races in the points.
As Piastri has struggled, team-mate Norris has blossomed. In the last three races, the Englishman has finished second in the United States and then won in Brazil and Mexico.
- ‘Tough conversations’ -
In Austin and Mexico, Piastri said, “something fundamental wasn’t working.”
“The other races have been a combination of different things going wrong,” he said. “What some might say is ‘the difficult world of motor sport’.”
“There have been some tough lessons to learn, some tough moments to have to accept, and nothing more than that.”
The dip in form coincided with the team order for Piastri to cede second to Norris in Monza.
Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who drives for Alipne wondered if there was a link.
“It’s inexplicable. You can be unhappy with your team, but you can’t forget how to drive from one weekend to the next,” Gasly told AFP.
Pizatri said no driver on the grid was entirely happy with their team and that McLaren had addressed issues.
“There have been some tough conversations through the year,” he said.
“Some things to sort out and realign on but I’m very comfortable we’ve done a good job on it.”
He’s eager to be back on the bumpy road.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the car in Vegas. I’m concentrating on performance, building a strong weekend and maximizing every opportunity,” he said.
Piastri ready to forget struggles and enjoy Vegas GP
https://arab.news/c39dg
Piastri ready to forget struggles and enjoy Vegas GP
- The Australian started the season in style with four wins in the first nine races
- “It’s going to be difficult now to try and win but the mentality of trying to go out each week and get the most out of it is still there,” Piastri added
Police raid Argentine soccer clubs and AFA as part of investigation into alleged money laundering
- The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas
- The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central
BUENOS AIRES: Federal police in Argentina carried out multiple raids Tuesday on the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and at least 17 soccer clubs.
The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas, which is under investigation for alleged money laundering and tax evasion. Ordered by federal judge Luis Armella, the more than 30 raids were conducted simultaneously on first and second division clubs and the AFA headquarters in the Argentine capital.
Sur Finanzas, owned by Ariel Vallejo, sponsors AFA tournaments and several first and second division clubs.
A judicial official with access to the case told The Associated Press that police officers are searching for contracts signed by the clubs with the financial firm and other documentation stored on electronic devices. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central, which were founded by Matias Tapia, a son of AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia.
The courts are investigating a complaint filed by the Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA) against Sur Finanzas.
According to the complaint obtained by the AP, the alleged illicit transactions total 818 billion pesos, approximately $560 million.
Police also raided the facilities that the AFA owns in Ezeiza — about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Buenos Aires — where the national team trains.
Television channels broadcast images of police inside the offices of the sports organization’s headquarters.
Excursionistas, a club in the third division, distanced themself from Sur Finanzas.
“The club do not maintain any type of corporate, financial, or administrative relationship with the company under investigation,” stated a message signed by the board of directors and posted on social media.
