When it rains, it pours, and this is exactly what is happening in the McLaren garage currently. The papaya team has been struggling even before the start of the season with the MCL60. However, heading to Australia after a two-week break, there were hopes of improvements from the Woking outfit. After the qualifying session, that doesn’t seem to be the case. To make matters worse, it is the home race for rookie sensation Oscar Piastri. The Australian not only got knocked out in Q1 after becoming a hero in Jeddah. Instead of being flooded with love, he also picked up a reprimand.

According to Fox Sports, the Australian lost concentration during FP3 and made unsafe maneuvers. Piastri earned his first reprimand in the sport for potentially causing an incident, as explained in the stewards’ statement.

The statement read, “The driver admitted that he had lost concentration and was preparing to do a practice start but attempted it a lap too early, having failed to take the chequered flag before doing so. After he slowed down considerably, the team warned him to complete the lap before attempting a practice start and therefore he did not go through the full practice start procedure.”

“The driver candidly admitted his mistake and recognised that this could have resulted in a dangerous situation on the track. In accordance with previous precedents for similar infringements, we imposed a reprimand on him.”

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The botched qualifying could’ve been a result of this reprimand. Or the Australian was distracted from the start, considering it is his first home Grand Prix. However, the papaya team took precautions to create a bubble for Piastri, keeping him away from all the noise.

McLaren had the plan to safeguard Oscar Piastri

The plan might have not worked. However, team principal Andrea Stella revealed the team’s plan to keep Piastri away from distraction during the Australian GP.

Speaking to Speedcade, the team principal said, “He is a very calm guy. I think he will be able to keep himself in the bubble. Certainly we’ll have to make sure that he can stay focused on the racing, and he stays focused on keeping up with this exceptional rate of development session after session.”

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As things stand, the plan isn’t working out. Especially keeping in mind the botched qualifying and the reprimand just before the session. Although for the race, Piastri will give it his all.