Piastri jokes with Verstappen in press conference: 'If you pay me!'

Piastri on the combination of race strategy and driving skills

Piastri thinks that a combination of good race strategy and driver skills is the most important thing: "I think it's a combination of all of those things. You know, in some races the strategy is more important than others. I think always, being intelligent with how you drive and ultimately being fast usually makes the strategy a bit more. If you can do that. But you know, that's why we have a team of hundreds of people back at the factory. Obviously, they're not all doing strategy and stuff like that, but it's why you have those teams to give you every chance of success out on track. A combination of all the things." 

The Australian, racing in his third home Grand Prix this weekend, continued, "Obviously, as a driver in the seat, you're probably the best person to read the situation from the car in terms of you know what the tyres are doing, what the car's doing. But the strategy team will see a lot more of the race picture and what's going on around you, so a bit of column A and a bit of column B."

Verstappen jokes with Piastri

Verstappen fully agreed with Piastri when the question was put his way. The Dutchman, as has become a trend, was quiet throughout the press conference. "Brilliant. So. nothing to add." His Australian colleague then joked: "If you pay a fee I can do all your answers." This also seemed like a good idea to Verstappen, who hasn't been talkative since the FIA swearing row began after last year's Singapore Grand Prix: "You want to sign a contract? You're good at it. Can just make a little side letter."

This article was written in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut

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