Oscar Piastri has claimed his Japanese Grand Prix fate was sealed after an underwhelming qualifying session at Suzuka after he attempted to instigate team orders but to no avail.
The Australian qualified third, behind team-mate Lando Norris and pole-sitter Max Verstappen, the positions in which they all finished the race.
It leaves him 13 points adrift in the drivers’ championship fight, although he has now moved ahead of George Russell.
When asked if the result of the grand prix was established through qualifying at a Suzuka track where it is notoriously difficult to overtake, Piastri agreed.
“Yes, correct,” he said after the chequered flag. “The pace today was really, really good, and I was very happy with that.
“Obviously, I got close a few times and tried to mount the challenge, but track position around here is just so important.
“So yeah, I think yesterday was the day where you effectively won the race and [I] didn’t do a good enough job, so I’ll take the podium.
“There’s still a lot of positives to take out of this weekend. I think the pace was mega. Next time, I just have to make sure I’m in a better position to use it.”
Papaya rules prevails
Towards the end of the race, Piastri jumped on the team radio in an attempt to convince McLaren to let him past Norris, contending he had the pace to challenge Verstappen for victory.
The Woking squad, however, denied him the opportunity to earn himself a fitting 24th birthday present.
When it was queried what the reply was to his proposition, Piastri confirmed it was not entertained by the team for long, as papaya rules prevailed.
“There wasn’t much [of a response] to be honest,” he said. “For me, I felt like I had really strong pace, and felt like if I had the track position, I could go and get Max, but that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately.
“I at least asked the question, and I think that was a fair response. So, it was a good race, and that’s how we want to go racing.”
