Australian driver Oscar Piastri told Formula1.com that, despite a challenging start to the 2026 season, he and McLaren are "making progress" and are far from standing still. The 23‑year‑old, who joined the team last year, highlighted how the squad’s technical resources and a structured development programme are helping him overcome early setbacks.
Key points from the interview
- Technical support: Piastri praised McLaren’s engineers for providing him with detailed data analysis and hands‑on coaching after each practice session. He said the team’s willingness to adapt the car’s setup to his driving style has been crucial.
- Learning curve: The Australian acknowledged that the new 2026 regulations have thrown a curveball at every team, but he believes the learning curve is steepening. "We’ve identified the biggest gaps and are closing them week by week," he said.
- Long‑term vision: Piastri emphasized that McLaren’s focus is not on quick fixes but on building a sustainable platform for future success. The team’s senior technical director, James Key, reportedly backs a phased development plan that aligns with the driver’s growth.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, echoed Piastri’s optimism in a separate statement, noting that the driver’s feedback has already led to several aerodynamic tweaks and suspension adjustments. "Oscar’s input is invaluable, and we’re seeing tangible improvements in lap times and tyre management," Stella said.
While the early races have been hampered by reliability hiccups and a few on‑track incidents, Piastri remains upbeat about the remaining calendar. He highlighted the upcoming European sprint events as opportunities to test new parts and refine race strategy without the pressure of a full Grand Prix distance.
For Indian fans: Piastri’s next race will be the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 8 October, which will be broadcast live on FanCode at 02:30 IST. The sprint qualifying on 7 October starts at 01:30 IST, offering a chance to see the rookie’s progress in a shorter format. Indian viewers can also catch post‑race analysis on the official F1 YouTube channel, which often features technical breakdowns relevant to Piastri’s development.
Source: Formula1.com
