Stella reveals Piastri leaned on McLaren after losing 2025 title to Norris

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed that Oscar Piastri leaned heavily on the team after losing the 2025 title to Lando Norris, a response that strengthened their partnership rather than fracturing it. The comments come as McLaren finds form following a rocky start to the 2026 regulations.

Why it matters:

A championship fight between teammates often leaves lingering tension, particularly for the driver who falls short. Piastri led the 2025 standings comfortably before finishing third behind Norris and Max Verstappen, yet Stella says the Australian has "relied even more heavily on the team to accelerate his development." That maturity has preserved McLaren's internal harmony at a critical moment as the team navigates the complex 2026 reset.

The details:

• McLaren's breakthrough came at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Norris won and Piastri looked set for a podium before a gearbox failure ended his race.
• Both drivers have criticized the 2026 power units, with Piastri calling the package frustrating and Norris vocal about early regulation struggles.
• Stella confirmed the team is working closely with Mercedes' HPP division to extract more from the power unit and refine how the drivers interact with the new systems.
• A major upgrade package debuted in Budapest, combining with better power unit understanding to lift McLaren out of its early-season reliability slump.
• Stella admitted it was predictable that Norris would remain steady after winning the title, but "not quite so predictable" that Piastri would deepen his trust in the team.

What's next:

With Hungary marking a clear turnaround, McLaren is targeting consistent podiums as it refines its 2026 package. The priority now is eliminating lingering power unit weaknesses and helping Piastri convert strong team synergy into results. If the driver dynamic holds steady, McLaren could emerge as a serious threat during the second half of the season.