Oscar Piastri expresses concerning assessment of McLaren with six races left in the season.
McLaren Formula 1 racer Oscar Piastri has acknowledged that his team is unlikely to resolve its issues before the conclusion of the 2026 season. With just six races left, the Australian feels the car has hit its peak.
“I believe in the short term, this is probably as good as it’s going to get,” he conveyed to the press. "Malaysia was another significant step forward in terms of understanding what I need to do to fundamentally bring the car closer to my expectations."
“I don’t expect any miraculous solutions this year.”
The 2026 regulations have introduced substantial changes that many drivers on the grid are struggling to fully grasp.
“The cars are very different,” Piastri remarked. “The tyres are also quite distinct, so that’s not going to alter any time soon. I’m definitely making strides, [but] it’s still not as comfortable as I’d like.”
Piastri characterized McLaren’s performance as either hit or miss.
“You’re either quite far off or incredibly fast. There’s really no middle ground,” he noted. When questioned about the reasons behind the significant fluctuations in performance, he quipped: “If I knew, I’d be a much happier person.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
He also conceded that his teammate and reigning champion Lando Norris has occasionally made the car appear better than its true capabilities.
“Some of the laps that Lando has achieved in qualifying to secure pole position have exceeded what the car is truly capable of,” he stated, always a supportive teammate. Norris has described the car as "mentally draining" to drive, and team principal Andrea Stella has concurred with Piastri, affirming that the MCL40's fundamental issues won't be addressed until the 2027 model.
Piastri currently sits seventh in the championship standings with 138 points, still seeking his first grand prix victory this season. McLaren, the defending constructors’ champion, ranks third with 339 points, just seven points ahead of a revitalized Red Bull as they head into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
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