Clarkson: Piastri 'too good' for 2026 slump to last

Tom Clarkson believes Oscar Piastri's 2026 slump is temporary, saying the McLaren driver is 'too good' for it to last. Piastri sits seventh, 55 points behind Lando Norris, with no win since the 2025 Dutch GP.

Why it matters:

Piastri's decline is one of the biggest surprises of F1's new regulations. After leading the title fight at this stage in 2025, he has gone over a year without a grand prix victory. His response will shape McLaren's season.

Between the lines:

Clarkson insists McLaren gives both drivers equal machinery, but believes emotional momentum has shifted toward Norris after his title win, comparing it to Vettel vs Webber in 2010. He also thinks losing the 2025 title still lingers for Piastri.

The details:

• Piastri has two podiums and 104 points in 2026. At the same point in 2025, he led Norris by eight points with five wins.
• He failed to start in Australia after a crash and in China with a technical issue, before finishing second in Japan.
• Clarkson says the lower downforce of 2026 cars is forcing Piastri to think rather than drive instinctively, which cannot work at the top level.
• He compares the situation to Russell and Leclerc's struggles, citing Leclerc's Silverstone breakthrough as proof a 'eureka moment' can change a season.

What's next:

Clarkson is confident Piastri will adapt, especially if the cars feel closer to F2 machinery, a category he dominated. The key is finding a breakthrough before the season slips away.