Norris: Piastri was 'unfortunate' to miss Japan win

Lando Norris conceded that McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri was unlucky to miss out on victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, with a poorly timed Safety Car costing the Australian a clear shot at his first win of the 2026 season. Norris finished fifth, but acknowledged the team's collective disappointment at not capitalizing on a strong race pace to secure McLaren's maiden victory this year.

Why it matters:

McLaren entered 2026 with high hopes after a strong finish to last season, but has struggled to convert pace into wins. Piastri's near-miss in Japan represents a significant lost opportunity to kickstart their championship campaign and build crucial momentum. For Piastri personally, it was a stark reminder of how fortune can dictate results in F1, despite flawless driving.

The details:

• Oscar Piastri executed a brilliant launch from the front row to seize the lead on the opening lap and controlled the race until the first pit stop window.
• The critical moment came when Piastri made his scheduled pit stop, only for a Safety Car to be deployed moments later. This allowed rival Kimi Antonelli to pit under the yellow flags and gain a massive time advantage.
• Antonelli emerged in the lead and held on to win, while Piastri was relegated to a frustrating second place.
• Norris's Assessment: The Briton, who recovered to fifth, was unequivocal in his support for his teammate. "He drove a very good race, and probably deserved to win the race, honestly, if it wasn't for the Safety Car," Norris stated. He labeled the situation "unfortunate" and a missed chance for the team.
• Despite the setback, Norris highlighted the positive step forward in car performance at Suzuka compared to the first two rounds of the season.

The big picture:

While the result stings, the underlying performance in Japan offers McLaren genuine optimism. Norris confirmed the team is "going in the right direction" and has "some good things coming" in terms of car development. Securing a podium and a strong points finish, even without the win, demonstrates the MCL38 has the raw pace to compete at the front. The key challenge remains executing flawless race weekends and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise, something they failed to do in Suzuka. The focus now shifts to converting this improved form into a victory in the coming races.