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Piastri secures pole position as intra-team tensions rise at McLaren ahead of a pivotal Spanish Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass to seize his fourth pole position of the season ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, clocking in a commanding 0.209 seconds ahead of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in qualifying.
Norris, fresh from a triumphant win in Monaco, seemed poised to build momentum.
Yet, when the stakes peaked, it was Piastri who kept his head.
The young Australian's composure under pressure once again set him apart, underscoring what is fast becoming one of the most enthralling intra-team battles in recent Formula One memory.
Piastri’s pole-winning effort was particularly impressive considering he followed Norris out for their final runs in Q3.
Norris, who initially benefitted from a tow from Piastri to claim provisional pole, faltered under pressure when it mattered most, making a crucial mistake at Turn One. But Piastri remained composed, capitalising with a lap that was not only faultless but emphatic.
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McLaren brace up for potential collision curse
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With McLaren locking out the front row for Sunday’s Grand Prix, team principal Zak Brown has found himself navigating a growing dilemma.
The parallels are undeniable.
Back in 2016, it was Hamilton and Rosberg at Mercedes.
Now, it is Piastri and Norris—separated by a mere three points in the standings and neither one willing to yield.
The start at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is notoriously long, and with Verstappen lurking in third and George Russell’s Mercedes just behind, the opening moments of Sunday’s race could be explosive.
Despite the technical directive introduced this weekend targeting flexible front wings, McLaren appears unaffected.
Their pace was undiminished, suggesting the Woking-based squad remains the the team to beat this season.
Elsewhere, George Russell matched Verstappen’s time but will start fourth by virtue of timing.
While Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton will start in fifth.
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