McLaren Backs Oscar Piastri Amidst Recent Struggles

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed strong support for Oscar Piastri, anticipating a rebound after a challenging period where Piastri has been consistently outscored by teammate Lando Norris in the last five races. This challenging run includes the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Norris took over the title lead.

Why it matters:

McLaren's unwavering belief in Piastri is crucial for his confidence and long-term development within the team. As F1 navigates intense competition, fostering both drivers' potential is paramount for championship aspirations. A strong, cohesive team performance from both drivers is essential to challenge the frontrunners and secure constructor points, especially as the season nears its conclusion.

The Details:

• Performance Gap: Piastri has been consistently outperformed by Lando Norris in the last five rounds, culminating in Norris taking the title lead after the Mexico City Grand Prix.
• Piastri's Uncertainty: The Australian driver admitted to being unsure about the exact cause of his recent struggles with the car but indicated that the Mexico race provided valuable insights and positive learnings.
• Stella's Endorsement: Andrea Stella confirmed Piastri's findings from Mexico, stating these learnings are an "investment" that will benefit him in the final four races of the season.
  • Stella emphasized that both the team and drivers are "encouraged and optimistic" following the Mexico weekend, despite some point losses for Piastri.
• Team Confidence Boost: McLaren's confidence in the championship has significantly increased after ending their win drought with Lando Norris' victory.
  • Stella highlighted that the team has now "proven that we have a car that can win races and in some conditions can dominate races." This confirmation of competitiveness is key for McLaren's championship pursuit, for both Norris and Piastri.

What's Next:

With valuable lessons learned from Mexico, the focus shifts to the final rounds of the season. McLaren is clearly banking on Piastri to integrate these new insights and translate them into stronger performances. The team's renewed confidence, bolstered by Norris's recent victory, sets a positive tone as they aim to maximize their points haul and solidify their position in both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships.