Oscar Piastri's surprising take on his Japanese GP start

Oscar Piastri downplayed his race-winning start at the Japanese Grand Prix, calling it "good" but not "super special," despite launching from third to first by the first corner. The McLaren driver held the lead until a Safety Car pit stop handed the advantage to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, with Piastri ultimately securing McLaren's first podium of the season in second place.

Why it matters:

Piastri's modest assessment highlights a recurring weakness for Mercedes in race starts this season, having now lost the lead to a second-row starter at every round. For McLaren, the strong start and podium finish signal a competitive step forward after a difficult opening to the year, even as missed strategic opportunities leave a hint of "what could have been."

The details:

• Piastri capitalized on a clean launch and immediate wheelspin from polesitter Kimi Antonelli to seize the lead by Turn 1.
• The Australian driver noted that having to go around Antonelli compromised the rest of his start sequence, yet it was still effective enough to take first place.
• Mercedes' struggle with launch performance was again exposed, with George Russell also losing position at the start.
• The race's pivotal moment came under a Safety Car, where Antonelli pitted and Piastri stayed out, a decision that handed the lead and eventual race win to the Mercedes driver.

What's next:

Piastri expressed clear disappointment at not being able to fight for the win in normal racing conditions, curious to see how he would have fared against the Mercedes duo on pure pace.

• The podium provides crucial momentum for McLaren, proving the car's potential after two DNFs to start the year.
• Mercedes will need to urgently address its race-start vulnerabilities to fully capitalize on its clear car performance.
• Piastri's performance solidifies his strong standing within the team and sets an early benchmark for his 2026 campaign.