Piastri Vows Stronger 2026 Return After Near-Miss Championship

Oscar Piastri finished runner-up in the 2025 F1 championship after Lando Norris secured the title with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi, denying Piastri's last-race comeback attempt. Despite the disappointment, the Australian reflects on his most accomplished season yet—leading the standings longer than any driver and setting a national record with seven wins—while vowing to channel lessons into a stronger 2026 campaign amid major regulation changes.

Why it matters:

Piastri's near-miss represents both a breakthrough and a painful lesson for Australian F1. His seven victories surpass Daniel Ricciardo's previous single-season record, marking the nation's strongest performance since 2016. Crucially, his public acknowledgment of growth beyond results—amid intense intra-McLaren rivalry with Norris—signals maturity that could define his future title challenges.

The details:

• Piastri entered Abu Dhabi needing Norris to finish outside the top three but saw his hopes dashed when Norris secured third behind Max Verstappen, sealing the championship by 16 points.
• Record-setting campaign: His seven wins and 14 podiums stand as the most successful single season by an Australian driver, surpassing Ricciardo's 2014 tally.
• Growth mindset: "This year has been head and shoulders above my first two," Piastri emphasized, highlighting progress in car control, racecraft, and mental resilience. "The lessons aren't tied to results—they'll make me stronger."
• McLaren dynamics: He credited Norris as a "very deserving winner" while noting their rivalry reached new intensity: "Especially this season, it’s been tighter than ever. We’ve pushed each other through the last three years."
• Australian legacy: His third-place championship finish is Australia’s best result since Ricciardo’s 2016 third, revitalizing national interest ahead of Melbourne’s return to the calendar.

What's next:

Piastri plans a brief reset during F1’s compressed offseason before attacking 2026’s sweeping regulation overhaul—a challenge he calls "massive" for all teams. With 91 days until Australia’s Grand Prix, he’ll balance family time with focused preparation for McLaren’s next-generation car, where his hard-earned racecraft insights could prove decisive. "It’s only my third attempt," he noted, framing 2025 as foundational for future title bids. As teams scramble to adapt to new technical rules, Piastri’s ability to translate this season’s emotional and technical lessons into performance may determine whether McLaren can sustain its front-running status beyond Norris’ maiden championship year.