Oscar Piastri 'Improves at the Speed of Light' After F1 US GP Struggles, Says Andrea Stella

McLaren's F1 chief, Andrea Stella, asserts that Oscar Piastri's difficulties at the United States Grand Prix were largely track-specific, confident the championship leader will rebound in Mexico. Piastri, who found his car's behavior uncomfortable throughout the Austin weekend, was further hampered by an early exit in Saturday's sprint race, losing crucial learning laps. Despite this, Stella maintains there are no deep-seated issues preventing Piastri from maintaining his title challenge.

Why it matters:

Oscar Piastri, currently leading the championship, experienced a rare off-weekend at COTA, raising questions about his consistency. With Max Verstappen rapidly closing the gap in the title fight, McLaren needs both its drivers, especially Piastri, to perform optimally. Stella's vote of confidence highlights the team's belief in their young driver's ability to quickly adapt and overcome challenges, which is crucial for their championship aspirations.

The details:

• Piastri's discomfort with his car and early retirement from the sprint race at COTA meant he missed valuable track time and data acquisition.
• This isn't Piastri's first challenging weekend since the summer break; he also faced difficulties in Baku, including two crashes.
• These dropped points, combined with Red Bull's resurgence, have allowed Max Verstappen to narrow the championship gap significantly, now only 40 points behind Piastri and 26 behind Lando Norris.
• Track-Specific Challenges: Andrea Stella suggests that circuits like Austin, with their unique low-grip conditions and unusual tire wear characteristics, present specific learning curves for drivers, especially younger ones.
• Rapid Improvement: Stella praises Piastri's ability to identify areas for improvement and implement changes swiftly, stating he "improves at the speed of light."
  • After analyzing the COTA data, Piastri reportedly understood how to drive differently in similar conditions, mitigating concerns about repeat performances.
• Mexico Practice: Piastri had a subdued Friday practice in Mexico, finishing 12th and appearing slightly off Norris's long-run pace. He struggled with braking into Turns 1 and 4 compared to his teammate but expressed confidence in finding improvements for qualifying and the race.

What's next:

McLaren and Piastri will be looking for a strong performance in Mexico to re-establish momentum and defend their championship lead against a surging Red Bull. Piastri's ability to quickly learn from the Austin experience will be key, and the team expects him to demonstrate his adaptive skills. The focus will be on optimizing the car for the unique demands of the high-altitude Mexico City track and ensuring both drivers maximize their points haul to maintain their position in the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships.