The McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, has expressed that Oscar Piastri‘s current performance is due to the fact that the Australian continues ‘thinking’ about how to drive his Formula 1 car for 2026. Stella believes this aspect is one of the factors contributing to the performance gap with his teammate Lando Norris.
Piastri has shown discomfort with the new generation of cars throughout the season. Over the past two years, it has become clear that his skills excel in fast corners and high-grip conditions. The new regulations have reduced aerodynamic performance and introduced narrower tires, decreasing vehicle grip and resulting in a disadvantage for Piastri.
The transition to the new 2026 power units, designed to charge and discharge energy, has also complicated his year. Despite being close to Norris throughout last season, except in races with less grip, this season Norris has been undeniably ahead.
Stella admits the team needs to make a greater effort to help Piastri feel more comfortable with his MCL40. ‘We need to improve qualifying and stay closer to podium positions from the start.’ Regarding qualifying at Monza, where Piastri finished in third place but started sixth due to an obstruction penalty, Stella emphasizes that they need to have more control over these situations.
Stella highlights that for Piastri to improve, it is essential for him to stop ‘thinking’ on track. ‘When you drive and think, things become slower, both in decision-making and lap times.’ The goal is for Piastri to better adapt to the car and thus show improved performance in future tests.
The last race was challenging for Piastri, who suffered front wing damage in the first corner after colliding with George Russell, affecting the car’s aerodynamic balance. Despite initial concerns about tire wear, the driver was able to continue his race but was hampered by excessive traffic and finished in seventh place.
Stella concludes that despite the challenges, he is confident that Piastri’s performance will improve in the upcoming races of the season as the team works to better align with his driving style.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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