The team principal of McLaren, Andrea Stella, has stated that Oscar Piastri needs to learn to drive the new Formula 1 car, the MCL40, without overthinking it. According to Stella, the Australian driver’s performance has decreased compared to his teammate Lando Norris, as Piastri has not yet fully adapted to the changes introduced by the new regulations for 2026.
So far, Piastri has shown discomfort with the new cars, which have less grip due to reduced aerodynamic downforce and the use of narrower tires. This situation has impacted his performance compared to Norris, who has gained a clear advantage during the current season.
Stella emphasized the importance of improving communication between Piastri and the MCL40, stating that the driver needs to stop thinking so much while driving. «When a driver is overthinking, their reactions become slow and, as a result, affect their lap times,» he explained.
Despite his challenges, Piastri sustained damage to the front wing during a recent race, but the hard tires held up well and did not cause significant wear. Additionally, he was able to overtake a rival after a pit stop, but finished seventh in the final classification.
Stella acknowledged that the damage to the wing complicated things for Piastri, but he is optimistic about his potential for improvement for the remainder of the season. «There is still much to do, and I hope to see a stronger Oscar in the second half of the year,» he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
