Key Highlights
- Oscar Piastri says he misses the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 world championship during a difficult 2026 season.
- McLaren has improved its car but remains fourth in the constructors’ championship, 17 points behind Red Bull.
- Piastri has split from his manager Mark Webber and will next target progress against Red Bull in Las Vegas.
Oscar Piastri Misses Championship Pressure in Difficult 2026 Season
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has admitted that he misses the intensity of fighting for the Formula 1 world championship as he endures a difficult 2026 campaign. Piastri led the drivers’ standings for much of last season before finishing third behind McLaren team-mate Lando Norris and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
Although Piastri fell short of the title, his 2025 campaign represented a successful conclusion to Formula 1’s ground effect regulations. His fortunes have changed this year: with three races remaining, Piastri is seventh in the drivers’ standings and has yet to win a race.
Asked whether being out of title contention had affected him, Piastri said the season had brought less pressure while acknowledging that the intensity of a championship battle is ultimately what he wants.
“Yes and no,” he said. “I want to be in a championship fight every year if I can be, but also, it’s definitely a bit more relaxed this year. Obviously, we’re not wanting to be in this position, but there’s not quite the same stress.
“But that stress that you have in a championship fight is the feeling you want, because it means you’re fighting for something that is what your goal is. I am missing that feeling this year for sure.”
McLaren Makes Progress With Difficult Car
McLaren has struggled to reproduce the pace it showed during the previous two seasons under Formula 1’s new rules. Piastri said the car had been challenging to drive from the beginning of the season, with the team needing time to identify the changes required to improve its performance.
“It wasn’t that easy to drive, and it’s still not been easy to drive, even now,” he said. “It took us a while to understand exactly what needed to change, and then trying to actually change it is tough. But we’re making progress with it slowly.”
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Signs of that progress emerged in Brazil. Lando Norris won at Interlagos on Sunday after McLaren introduced an upgraded front wing designed to make the car more predictable. Piastri, meanwhile, recovered to finish sixth after being eliminated in Q2 during qualifying.
Piastri Targets Red Bull in Constructors’ Fight
With the drivers’ championship no longer a realistic target, Piastri has turned his attention to McLaren’s position in the constructors’ standings. McLaren is fourth, 17 points behind Red Bull, and Piastri said closing that gap would be his main objective for the remainder of the season.
“Just keep learning and ultimately try and beat Red Bull in the constructors’ championship. That’s the big thing,” he said. “It’s not going to be an easy task for sure, but I think it’s possible. I think the car took a step forward this weekend, so hopefully that keeps going.”
Piastri also confirmed on Monday that he had split from his manager, Mark Webber. The former Red Bull driver had guided Piastri’s career since his junior days. Piastri’s next opportunity to reduce McLaren’s deficit to Red Bull will come in Las Vegas next week.
Why This Matters
Piastri’s comments highlight the difference between competing for individual results and fighting for a championship across a full Formula 1 season. While McLaren has not matched its performance from the previous two years, the team’s Brazilian Grand Prix upgrade suggests it is continuing to develop the car. The constructors’ battle with Red Bull gives McLaren and Piastri a clear competitive target across the remaining races.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oscar Piastri’s position in the 2026 drivers’ championship?
Oscar Piastri is seventh in the drivers’ standings with three races remaining, and he has not yet won a race this season.
How far behind Red Bull is McLaren?
McLaren is fourth in the constructors’ championship, 17 points behind Red Bull.
Who was Oscar Piastri’s manager?
Mark Webber, the former Red Bull driver, managed Oscar Piastri from his junior career until the pair split on Monday.
