Oscar Piastri Wins Spanish GP, Extends Formula One Lead
FORMULA ONE championship leader Oscar Piastri said winning Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix was just what he needed after losing out to McLaren teammate Lando Norris over the previous two weekends.
'It's been a great year and this weekend's been exactly the kind of weekend I was looking for,' said the Australian after his fifth win in nine races.
'We executed everything we needed to when it counted and that's all you can ask for. The team gave me a great car once again. It's a lot of fun winning races at the moment.'
The victory, the seventh of the 24-year-old's career, stretched Piastri's lead over second-placed Norris to 10 points after the Briton reduced it to three with his triumph in Monaco last Sunday.
Norris also finished second at Imola, the race before Monaco won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with Piastri third.
The Australian led from pole position in Spain, the top slot on the grid secured by the biggest margin of the year so far, after also topping the practice times at the Circuit de Catalunya.
'It's definitely up there,' Piastri said when asked whether it was his strongest yet in Formula One.
'I don't know if it's the best one, but certainly it's been a strong one. You know, it's pretty hard to complain with the results we've had this weekend.
'Just the effort that's gone in, and analysing some of the things from last week that we could have done better - I think we turned it around very nicely and got back to the form we wanted to be on.'
Norris, winner of two races this year so far, said he did not feel he had lost anything.
'I think Oscar drove a very good race today and had a good day yesterday. I had the pace to go with him but not enough to try and catch up and put him under threat,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Safawi unfazed by 'foreign presence' in national team
KUALA LUMPUR: More and more foreign-born players are coming into the national football team. Do Malaysian-born players find it more and more difficult to get places in the first XI? Winger Safawi Rasid, when asked about this, said he is not affected by the influx of heritage players into Harimau Malaya. In fact, the 28-year-old feels that the healthy competition — arising out of this situation — will improve the quality of the national team. The latest batch of foreign-born players reportedly added to Harimau Malaya for the Asian Cup qualfiier again st Vietnam on June 10 were Rodrigo Holgado, Jefte Betancor and Jon Irazabal. Safawi said that as a local player, he does not see their presence as a threat to his position in the national team. He said all the players must give full commitment in every training session, regardless of their status as local or heritage players. "For me, it's good for the team. There will be healthy competition in training. So I have no problem with this," he said. Safawi added that he sees the presence of foreign-born heritage players as an opportunity to challenge himself to raise his game and increase competitiveness among local players. "We, as local players, must see this as a healthy challenge. This kind of competition will help the team become stronger." Malaysia fielded the Dutch-born midfielder Hector Hevel in the 2-0 win over Nepal in an Asian Cup qualifier on March 25, and the Spanish-born winger Gabriel Palmero in the 2-2 with Cape Verde last week.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Looking up to Garces
New Malaysian football player Facundo Garces. PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Malaya revolution continues with more Malaysians abroad expected to be unveiled soon. But for now, the spotlight shines on a towering new addition. Facundo Garces, a 25-year-old centreback from La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves, has officially joined the Malaysian national football team, adding an unexpected but exciting twist to preparations for the crucial 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. His inclusion has sent ripples through the local football community, not only for the surprise factor but also for the calibre he brings. "To be part of this national set-up is an incredible opportunity and a massive honour," said Garces. "Since arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I've felt the passion, the family spirit, and unwavering support within the team. "If this is just the beginning, I can't imagine how amazing it will be when the entire nation is behind us. I'm ready to give everything I have for Malaysia." Standing at 1.89m (6'2''), Garces is a commanding presence at the back. He first rose to prominence with Argentine Primera Division side Colon, where he amassed 129 appearances. Since his January move to Alaves, he has featured in 10 matches - starting the last seven league games in a row - proving his growing stature in top-tier football. Known for his aerial dominance, Garces is not only a defensive rock but a threat during set-pieces. National coach Peter Cklamovski couldn't hide his enthusiasm. "Facundo has a strong character. He's calm under pressure, has a fantastic personality, and brings with him valuable experience from top level competitions," said the Australian tactician. And Garces might not be the only one making waves in this international window. Sources suggest that two more players - possibly three - could join Garces in the current training camp. Cklamovski's extensive scouting network may soon bear more fruit, with names like winger Imanol Machuca, striker Rodrigo Holgado and centreback Jon Iranzabal being closely linked to the national set-up. Machuca, 25, is a nimble flanker who plays for Velez Sarsfield on loan from Brazilian side Fortaleza. The pint-sized Argentine-born winger, who stands just 1.70m (5'5'') is capable on either flank and thrives on creating goal-scoring chances. Holgado, 29, currently leads the line for Colombian giants America de Cali. The clinical striker has already netted seven goals and registered two assists in just 15 league appearances this season - an impressive return that could add bite to Malaysia's attack. Then there's Iranzabal, a 28-year-old Spanish-born defender who recently helped Azerbaijani club Sabah lift the national cup. The 1.87m (6'1'') hard man is renowned for his technical defending and was among the earliest mixed-heritage names linked with Harimau Malaya following Cklamovski's appointment. With new blood injecting quality and depth into the squad, the national team's ambitions are gaining momentum. And if this wave of talent delivers on its promise, Malaysia's dream of back-to-back Asian Cup appearances may soon become a thrilling reality.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
MCA appoints ex-World Cup winning coach Whatmore as cricket director
THE Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) today appointed former World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore as its director of cricket. MCA described the 71-year-old Australian's appointment as part of its revamped coaching structure, aimed at redefining the country's presence in international cricket. 'Dav Whatmore is a highly accomplished and successful gentleman who has played many roles in various full members. As head coach of Sri Lanka, the country won the ICC (International Cricket Council) World Cup in 1996 and has since produced many positive results. 'It is expected that the appointment will result in Malaysia building a total cricket structure that will connect the dots from lateral development to being a high-performing country,' it said in a statement. As part of the strategic shift, the MCA also announced that former Pakistan international Bilal Asad would lead the national men's team as head coach. It said that Bilal will oversee his charges for several crucial tournaments over the next 18 months, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup qualifier for the Asia and East Asia Pacific region in Oman from Oct 1-17. The tournament will feature nine teams, with the top three qualifying for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka next February. Meanwhile, MCA president Mahinda Vallipuram, in the same statement, described the refreshed coaching structure as representing their determination to transform Malaysia into a competitive force internationally.
