Oscar Piastri, the young F1 driver, acknowledges that despite not being in contention for the 2026 drivers’ championship, there is still much to play for in the final races of the season. At this moment, working to improve his performance on circuits where he has historically struggled is one of his top priorities.
Additionally, Piastri seeks to understand the impact of the latest updates applied to his McLaren MCL40, with the intent that next year’s car is easier to drive. The McLaren team has introduced a new update package in several stages, featuring new front suspension geometries and adjustments to the rear diffuser during the US GP, among other improvements on the way.
While these modifications are intended to increase the vehicle’s performance, McLaren has not yet been able to fully assess their effectiveness. Piastri emphasizes that to drive the MCL40, one must adopt a pushy style, as if every lap were a qualifying time.
In statements made in Mexico, he noted: ‘I really have to drive in a very different way than I did before. It’s been a big challenge, but I think we will find a solution soon.’ Piastri also commented that the goal is to resolve the current issues over the next few months, although he acknowledges that there are fundamental elements of the vehicles that will not change.
After a series of races, Piastri believes positive signs have been seen. He stated that the Austin GP represented a setback, but clarified that sometimes you need to take ‘two steps forward and one step back’ to reaffirm yourself. Currently, he and his teammate Lando Norris face the challenges of a car sensitive to various conditions, which is not limited to track irregularities, making the challenge even more complicated.
Piastri expressed that, although the car is faster now, his rivals have also improved and are very competitive. Even so, the team seeks to understand how the latest updates work. Last year, Piastri was affected in the last races by circuits with low-grip surfaces, a context that benefited his teammate. In contrast, this year’s MCL40 has shown to be competitive in speed through fast corners thanks to the new aerodynamic improvements.
However, they continue to face difficulties in slow corners, and the aggressive optics needed to drive do not always provide the expected stability. Piastri added that changes in aerodynamics, suspension geometry, and even tire characteristics will mark a shift in the way of driving.
Despite being eliminated from the fight for the individual championship, Piastri highlights the importance of preserving McLaren’s third place in the constructors’ championship, now competing with Red Bull, both tied with 355 points. Any car updates will help prepare the team for the 2027 season, which already occupies most of McLaren’s attention.
Piastri concludes that, despite his current situation, what he wants is to accumulate knowledge and resources for the future, in order to compete for titles in the coming seasons. ‘This is what motivates me, as there isn’t much to fight for right now,’ he stated.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_7ad9b3a7744831bf28b0ce7672ef153092c52b8d