Oscar Piastri's performance has visibly dipped this season amid technical challenges and Lando Norris's surging form, intensifying scrutiny on his McLaren future.
Lando Norris, fresh off winning the past two Grands Prix, recently committed his future to McLaren with a significant contract extension. This prolonged deal, set to run until at least 2030, naturally turns the spotlight onto his teammate, Oscar Piastri, and what it means for the Australian's position within the team.
Piastri has undeniably struggled to replicate his impressive form from last season, where he contended for the world title for a considerable period. In stark contrast, Norris has already secured two victories this year and narrowly missed a third, putting a clear performance gap between the two McLaren drivers.
Behind the scenes, despite denials from both McLaren and Piastri, underlying tensions seem to be at play as the team navigates its driver lineup and ambitions for the championship, according to reporting by BBC Sport - Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri's Challenging Start to the 2026 F1 Season
After a standout 2025 campaign where Oscar Piastri was a genuine contender for the Formula 1 world title before his season unraveled late on, the 2026 season has presented a significant setback. While Lando Norris boasts two wins and arguably should have had a third in Miami, Piastri has only been in true contention for victory twice.
In Japan, Piastri led but suffered from bad luck with a safety car period. He also momentarily led in Hungary after a first-lap error by Norris, but again, misfortune struck when he was delayed lapping Carlos Sainz's Williams. Ultimately, Piastri retired from that race with a broken gearbox, acknowledging his pace on hard tires was not strong enough to hold off Norris even without the incidents.
The qualifying head-to-head statistics paint a clear picture, with Norris leading Piastri 12-4. Although their average pace over one lap is incredibly close, with Norris only 0.08 seconds faster, the race performances tell a different story. Norris has been demonstrably more convincing on Sundays, evidenced by a 55-point and three-place gap between them in the championship standings.
Technical Factors Impacting Piastri's Driving Style
Several technical factors appear to be contributing to Piastri's current struggles. Firstly, the number of "grip-limited" high-speed corners, traditionally a strength for Piastri, has decreased this year as engines prioritize battery charging in those sections, a change many drivers have voiced concerns about. This development diminishes a potential advantage for the Australian driver.
Secondly, the 2026 cars feature less downforce than their predecessors. This change has made Piastri less comfortable when operating in low-grip conditions compared to Norris, who seems to adapt more readily. Finally, Lando Norris has consistently elevated his game since the latter half of last season, a period in which he secured the world title, and has continued this upward trajectory throughout the current year, proving himself one of the standout drivers of the season.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella addressed the situation in the Netherlands, stating, "Last year, we had seen already with Oscar that, from a technical driving point of view, when the car has this low level of grip... he needs to adapt the way he drives... This requires a bit of mental effort, which gets him to lose a couple of tenths of a second." Stella emphasized that this is a "purely technical" adaptation, not a psychological one. He also highlighted how the tight performance margins among the top three teams mean any lack of optimization can lead to "very significant positional loss."
McLaren's Pursuit of Max Verstappen and Piastri's Future
Despite suggestions of tension, both McLaren and Oscar Piastri firmly reject any notion of strain in their relationship. However, a significant revelation is that McLaren made an attempt to sign Max Verstappen this summer. Had this move materialized, it is considered "virtually certain" that Piastri would have been the driver replaced.
While that possibility has receded for now following Verstappen's new contract with Red Bull, the Red Bull deal reportedly includes performance clauses. This means McLaren could potentially pursue Verstappen again if Red Bull's struggles persist next year. For the time being, Piastri remains under contract with McLaren until at least the end of 2027, with his immediate focus on rediscovering his top form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key reasons for Oscar Piastri's dip in form this season?
Oscar Piastri's performance dip in 2026 is attributed to several technical factors: reduced grip-limited high-speed corners, less downforce in the current F1 cars making him less comfortable in low-grip conditions, and the consistently elevated performance level of his teammate, Lando Norris.
Did McLaren try to replace Oscar Piastri recently?
Yes, McLaren pursued Max Verstappen this summer, and it was "virtually certain" that Oscar Piastri would have been replaced if that deal had materialized, according to reporting by BBC Sport - Formula 1.
What is McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella's view on Piastri's current challenges?
Andrea Stella stated that Oscar Piastri needs to adapt his natural driving style to the 2026 cars' low-grip conditions, describing it as a "purely technical" challenge rather than psychological.
Why is Kimi Antonelli taking a grid penalty at the Italian Grand Prix?
Mercedes confirmed Kimi Antonelli will take a new engine at Monza, resulting in a grid penalty, because early season reliability issues made exceeding the permitted number of engine parts inevitable. Monza was strategically chosen for its long straights, which maximize the performance boost from a new engine.
What is Lando Norris's contract situation with McLaren?
Lando Norris recently extended his contract with McLaren, securing his place with the team until at least the end of the 2030 season. This long-term commitment follows a season where Norris has shown exceptional performance, including two Grand Prix wins.