Andrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, has highlighted that Oscar Piastri needs to learn to adapt better to the new MCL40 car and to set aside thoughts that are holding him back during competition. According to Stella, the Australian is experiencing difficulties in handling the 2026 F1 automobile, a situation that may be related to his driving style.
Piastri has shown signs of discomfort with the new generation of vehicles this year, particularly in low grip conditions. Changes in regulation have led to a decrease in aerodynamic load and the use of narrower tires, affecting his ability to control the car in fast corners. The experience of these changes has been a challenge, as the current vehicle conditions have stripped him of comfort and confidence.
Moreover, the new engine technology that combines energy regenerated during braking with its distribution has complicated matters further for Piastri, who has fallen behind his teammate, Lando Norris. While both drivers were quite equal in 2025, in the current season Norris has been able to maintain a clear advantage.
Stella emphasized the importance of helping Piastri to achieve a better connection with his car in order to enhance his performance. He also stated that the goal is to prevent Piastri from constantly thinking about how to drive, which can cause him to lose valuable time in his decisions and, consequently, in his laps.
Recently, Piastri suffered damage to the front wing during the race, but the good quality of the hard tires prevented him from encountering serious issues during the competition. Nevertheless, Stella acknowledged that the initial malfunction affected the aerodynamic level of the car, further complicating his strategy during the race.
Stella’s expectations for the upcoming tests are high, as he is confident that both the team’s structure and the driver will be able to find an effective solution to improve Piastri’s situation before the season ends.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
