Piastri acknowledges McLaren is behind Antonelli in Austria

Oscar Piastri has suggested that McLaren is still trailing Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, even after a seemingly strong Friday practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix. While Piastri secured second position in the afternoon session at the Red Bull Ring, he noted that Antonelli's pace indicated a performance gap.

Antonelli outpaced Piastri significantly on soft tyres, leaving the Australian driver cautious about McLaren's current standing. Piastri described the day as productive, with the team evaluating various setup changes aimed at improving from previous races. However, he acknowledged the challenge posed by Antonelli and Mercedes.

Despite a challenging session for teammate Lando Norris due to a hydraulic issue, Piastri experienced inconsistent braking, which he described as a "lottery." The team's Technical Director of Engineering, Neil Houldey, echoed Piastri's sentiment, emphasizing the need to manage expectations. Houldey pointed out that competitors like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, with its upgrade package, will present a significant challenge throughout the competitive weekend.