Piastri's Low-Grip Adaptation Questioned Ahead of 2026 F1 Era

Oscar Piastri's ability to adapt to lower-grip conditions is under scrutiny as Formula 1 enters the 2026 regulatory era, characterized by cars with significantly less downforce. The shift away from ground-effect dominance could challenge the McLaren driver, whose 2025 title bid faltered on circuits where tire grip was at a premium, raising questions about his compatibility with the new generation of machines.

Why it matters:

Piastri established himself as a top-tier contender in 2025, leading the championship for a significant period. Identifying and overcoming a potential weakness in low-grip conditions is critical for his ambition to become a complete driver and mount a sustained World Championship challenge. The 2026 car philosophy represents a fundamental reset that will test every driver's adaptability, making Piastri's progression a key subplot of the new era.

The details:

• The theory stems from Piastri's 2025 season, where a strong points lead evaporated during a six-race podium drought, notably on low-grip tracks like Austin and Mexico City.
• McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella identified adaptation to sliding, low-grip conditions as a specific area for Piastri to improve, noting the driver needs to better "challenge the car" and manage understeer and oversteer in those scenarios.
• Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz explicitly linked this to 2026, suggesting the new, less grippy cars "might be an issue that Piastri has to deal with."
• Early driver feedback on the 2026 cars confirms the shift. Lewis Hamilton described them as "oversteery and snappy," while Cadillac F1's Dan Towriss noted there is "less load on this car." On-ground observations from testing highlight tricky traction out of slow corners and a lazier front end.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be the ultimate test. While historical data suggests a concern, several factors argue against counting Piastri out.

• This marks his first major regulatory change in F1, presenting a fresh challenge distinct from the ground-effect cars he initially struggled to master.
• His career has been defined by rapid progression and learning. Both he and the team are aware of the area needing improvement, a crucial first step toward a solution.
• The new cars are designed to slide more predictably as standard, which may require a different skillset than managing a sliding ground-effect car. Piastri's ultimate speed and racecraft remain undeniable, making his adaptation one of the most intriguing stories of the upcoming season.