Piastri Resents McLaren's Direction Change After Norris' Dominant Win

Oscar Piastri expressed frustration over McLaren's performance decline between Friday and Sunday in Brazil, claiming the car's setup went in a direction he "wasn't a big fan of." This comes after a weekend where teammate Lando Norris dominated, further widening the points gap between the two drivers.

Why it matters:

Piastri's remarks highlight a potential disconnect within McLaren regarding car setup and development, especially as Norris continues to show superior form. With Piastri experiencing a string of mistakes and a dip in performance, questions arise about McLaren's ability to cater to both drivers effectively and prevent internal friction from impacting their Constructors' Championship aspirations.

The Details:

• Performance Decline: Piastri noted that McLaren's pace as a team was not as strong on Sunday as it had been on Friday, suggesting a change in car direction that he found unfavorable.
• Personal Comfort: Despite the team's overall pace drop, Piastri stated he felt "very comfortable" and experienced "flashes of strong pace" during practice, indicating a personal struggle to maintain that feeling throughout the weekend.
• Sprint Race Incident: A crash in Turn 3 during the Sprint race further complicated Piastri's weekend, contributing to what he described as "a lot of things going wrong at the moment."
• Points Gap: Piastri now trails Lando Norris by 24 points in the Drivers' Standings. He is also only 25 points ahead of Max Verstappen, a significant drop from the 104-point advantage he held over Verstappen after the Dutch Grand Prix.

Between the Lines:

Piastri's frustration, particularly after Norris's dominant performance, suggests a growing challenge for the young Australian. While he has shown immense potential, consistency and adapting to car changes appear to be key areas for improvement. The contrast with Norris's seemingly effortless dominance raises questions about whether McLaren's development path is currently more aligned with Norris's driving style and preferences, potentially leaving Piastri struggling to find his rhythm.

What's next:

Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has controversially suggested Piastri should consider leaving McLaren at the end of his contract if he doesn't win a championship, despite Piastri having recently signed an extension until at least 2028. This external commentary, combined with Piastri's current struggles, will likely add pressure on both the driver and the team to ensure his performance improves and he feels more aligned with the car's direction in upcoming races.