Piastri forced to abandon natural driving style after McLaren 'important analysis'

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed Oscar Piastri has been forced to abandon his natural driving style this season to extract performance from the car. The change has proven most critical in races with high tyre degradation and reduced grip, conditions that have historically left him trailing team-mate Lando Norris.

Why it matters:

Tyre management has been a recurring limitation for Piastri in F1, with the Australian frequently losing ground to Norris as stints wore on. Closing this gap is vital for his development and McLaren's bid to maximize points in a tight Constructors' Championship fight.

The details:

• Stella explained that reduced overall grip has amplified Piastri's tendency to lose performance when relying on his instinctive approach.
• The team conducted an "important analysis" to identify how to drive effectively in low-grip, high-sliding conditions without destroying the tyres.
• Piastri's fourth place at the Austrian Grand Prix served as proof of progress, his best result since Miami, showing the adapted approach is working.
• Stella praised Piastri's ability to "cash in" the team's work, noting that delivering in such tricky conditions marks the next step in his evolution.

What's next:

With Piastri proving he can implement these changes across a weekend, the focus shifts to maintaining consistency through the season's second half. Sustaining this improved racecraft will tighten McLaren's intra-team battle and strengthen its challenge at the front.