Piastri surprised by ‘fundamental overhaul’ as McLaren slips in 2026

Oscar Piastri said the 2026 regulation overhaul has changed what it feels like to drive an F1 car more than he imagined. After two DNS‑s and a runner‑up at Suzuka, he sees McLaren’s early‑season dip as a reset, not a disaster, and believes the team is still in the mix.

Why it matters:

• The new rules level the playing field, meaning teams that adapt quickly can leapfrog traditional frontrunners.
• McLaren’s performance swing could reshape the mid‑grid battle and affect the championship narrative for both drivers and constructors.

The details:

• Two consecutive Did‑Not‑Start races (home Grand Prix and China) highlighted reliability and integration challenges.
• A second place at Suzuka showed the car’s speed when the package clicks, even holding off George Russell before a safety‑car‑induced reset.
• Piastri described the overhaul as “more fundamental than expected,” but added the team knows the shift was inevitable.
• He emphasized that the issues are spread across several areas – aerodynamics, tyre management, and power‑unit integration – rather than a single flaw.
• Despite the setbacks, McLaren remains “towards the front” and is learning from the champions Ferrari and Mercedes.

What’s next:

Piastri expects rapid development work over the upcoming European swing, targeting a tighter aero package and refined power‑unit mapping. If the team can close the gaps identified in Japan, McLaren could re‑enter the podium fight before the season’s final stretch.