Piastri baffled by 'bizarre' Q2 exit in Mexico

Oscar Piastri has described his Q2 exit at the Mexico City Grand Prix as "bizarre," admitting he had "no idea" why his McLaren lost grip on a fresh set of tyres. The Australian had looked strong after going fourth fastest in Q1, but aborted a late Q2 effort and could only manage 13th.

Why it matters:

It is another frustrating chapter in a difficult 2026 season for Piastri. He has not won for more than a year and has not finished on the podium since Miami in May. With McLaren tied for P3 in the Teams' Championship alongside Red Bull, every point matters.

The details:

• Piastri reported a lack of rear grip over radio and said the balance was "completely different" on the new tyres.
• He was unsure what caused the problem and expected McLaren to investigate.
• Team mate Lando Norris topped Q2 and will start P6, underlining the car's pace.
• Piastri will line up 13th and says his target is damage limitation.

What's next:

Piastri's focus is to make up places and fight for points. But first, McLaren must understand why a promising qualifying turned into another mystery. With the 2026 regulations still proving tricky, his recovery drive will be as much about diagnosis as overtaking.