Oscar Piastri has detailed he is focusing on his qualifying performance as he goes in the hunt for his first F1 drivers’ title.
McLaren is being tipped as a favourite to contend for both championships this year after topping the constructors’ standings in 2024.
However, Piastri was frequently out-paced by team-mate Norris last season, losing the head-to-head battle 21-3.
While the Australian understands the need to improve across all sectors, he highlighted his qualifying deficit as a key shortcoming he must fix for the new season.
“I think, to be honest, across the two seasons I’ve had, the story has been a little bit different,” he told media including RacingNews365.
“Obviously last season, I made life difficult for myself in qualifying a lot of the year.
“I felt like I improved myself as a driver in a lot of other areas, and I was able to show what I’m capable of in a lot of other areas.
“So it’s about improving across the board, making sure I qualify a bit better is probably a higher priority.”
Piastri noted it is “naive” not to prepare for a championship fight this year as McLaren targets its first drivers’ title since 2008.
The 23-year-old acknowledged a lack of consistency has been his downfall during his first two seasons.
“There are things that I can improve that will help me, not just in qualifying, but in general. So I think that’s that’s what I need to do,” he said.
“I know that on the weekends when I get everything together and put my best foot forward, I can be the best out there.
“It’s just about trying to make sure I put that best foot forward every time I’m on track.”
