In a thrilling setup for the Canadian Grand Prix, rising star Oscar Piastri revealed that he could have possibly snagged pole position with medium tyres, but after a challenging lead-up to qualifying, he opted for a safer strategy.

Securing a commendable P3 grid position behind Lewis Hamilton's teammate George Russell and championship rival Max Verstappen, Piastri expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

The Tyre Dilemma: Soft or Medium?

The qualifying session in Canada sparked an intense debate over the best tyre choice—as drivers had to decide between the soft and medium compounds, both promising different advantages for a one-lap shootout.

While Russell and Verstappen donned the yellow-walled mediums for their final runs, Piastri confidently decided to stick to the softs, a gamble he justifies despite seeing his rivals vault ahead.

Reflecting on a Rocky Weekend

"Practicing for this race had been tough; let's just say it wasn't exactly a walk in the park," Piastri said during a post-qualifying press conference.

"Given the problematic practice sessions I faced, opting to maintain a consistent approach with the same compound felt right. I’m thrilled that it paid off with P3.”

Could Mediums Have Made a Difference?

When pressed about the potential regret of not switching to mediums, Piastri remained unfazed. "It was discussed, but honestly, after the difficult practice, I wanted to keep things simple and avoid complicating the situation further. Sometimes, going with what you know pays off."

He added, "This season, our strength has been sticking to our plan and executing what we believe is best. Could we have ended up on pole with mediums? Sure, but with that comes the risk of it backfiring. Given our position now, I’m quite satisfied.”

A Championship Opportunity Awaits

With his current leads tight in the standings—just 10 points ahead of fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris, who qualified P7—Piastri now has an invaluable chance to widen his margin as he chases glory in Sunday’s race.