McLaren’s podium pace in Japan ‘a positive surprise’ – Piastri

Well all you had to do was start a race, Oscar, and then you can get a podium. But in all seriousness, obviously a great result out there today. I know it wasn't the win, which it could have been today. So what's the overriding emotion after that? I think very happy. I think we executed everything we could have today. I think, to be honest with you, even without the safety gear, I think it was going to be hard to beat Kimi. So, yeah, very, very happy, obviously. It's been a tough start to the year, and to come out with a P2 and feeling like we had a chance of a win, it's pretty special at this point. So, no, very proud of everybody. I think we did a really good job this weekend of getting the most out of everything that we could have. And, yeah, got the results we deserved for it. So it does sound like you and the team are just understanding your car and these cars much better right now. Yes, I think, to be honest, we probably surprised ourselves a bit with how well we were able to hang on. I think, if anything, you know, obviously once Kimi got clean air, he was way quicker than everyone. But the fact that I could even keep George behind and the Ferraris, you know, we thought the Ferraris would be incredibly strong. So the fact that we could keep them behind and kind of, you know, not super comfortably, but comfortable enough, was a positive surprise. So, yeah, very happy.