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via Formula1.comHow can Piastri recover from ‘anonymous’ Madrid weekend?Oscar Piastri is facing difficulties following a disappointing performance in the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he qualified ninth and crashed during the race. His teammate, Lando Norris, has significantly outperformed him, leading to a 66-point gap in the standings. Analysts James Hinchcliffe and Jolyon Palmer discussed Piastri's struggles and the need for him to close the performance gap with Norris, especially after a season where he initially showed promise.
Despite the challenges, Palmer noted that Piastri's lack of pressure from the championship fight could provide him with the opportunity to improve. He highlighted that while Piastri has shown potential in the past, his consistency has been lacking compared to Norris. As the team prepares for the upcoming races, there are hopes that Piastri can regain his form and deliver strong performances, particularly at circuits where he has previously succeeded.
Tue 22 Sep · 13:10 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.
Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer claims Oscar Piastri has only looked ‘amazing’ for ‘half a season’ in his F1 careerJolyon Palmer has expressed doubts about Oscar Piastri's performance in Formula 1, stating that he has only shown exceptional skill for half a season. Palmer highlighted Piastri's struggles compared to his teammate Lando Norris, who has been the standout driver for McLaren, securing both of the team's wins and all three poles this season.
Despite a promising start to his career, including a strong performance in 2023, Piastri has faced challenges in maintaining consistency. Palmer noted that Piastri's win drought has now lasted over a year, and while he has the potential for great performances, his overall record shows a significant gap in comparison to Norris.
Tue 22 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via grandprix.comMcLaren reintroduces H-Wing for Azerbaijan Grand PrixMcLaren has confirmed the return of its H-Wing aerodynamic upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team anticipates a competitive race, expecting to contend with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull for victory.
via gpfans.comLando Norris disagrees with Andrea Stella on PiastriLando Norris has expressed disagreement with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella's comments regarding Oscar Piastri's struggles with the 2026 Formula 1 cars. Stella has suggested that Piastri's natural driving style is not well-suited to the new generation of vehicles.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 09:57 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff's 'league of his own' comments highlight why Lando Norris is beating Oscar PiastriToto Wolff praised Lando Norris for his exceptional performance during qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Norris achieved pole position with a remarkable lap time of 1:31.385. Wolff noted Norris' skill in managing rear tyre overheating, especially under challenging hot conditions, which set him apart from his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the compliments, Piastri's ongoing difficulties with tyre management were acknowledged, with McLaren's recent upgrades aimed at addressing these issues. Team principal Andrea Stella has urged Piastri to adapt his driving style to improve his performance, as his struggles have been a recurring theme in his career.Mon 21 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri criticises AI impact on 2026 F1 carsOscar Piastri has expressed concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence in the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating that it sometimes makes him feel like a 'passenger' on track. The McLaren driver highlighted that the AI reduces his input during certain moments while driving.+ 2 moreSun 20 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren engineers think they have fix for one key ‘weakness’ of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s carMcLaren is preparing to introduce significant upgrades for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on enhancing the performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's MCL40 car. These upgrades include a new underbody and a modified version of their Macarena rear wing, aimed at improving the car's aerodynamics, particularly in slow-speed corners where the team has identified weaknesses. The decision on which rear wing to use will be made after practice sessions in Baku.
The upgrades come after a challenging 2025 Azerbaijan GP for both drivers, where Piastri faced multiple issues, including a crash and a poor start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's engineers are optimistic that the new aerodynamic package will allow Norris and Piastri to compete for pole position. Recent performances have shown that the MCL40 is competitive in medium-speed turns, and the team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the race weekend.Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star admits family had to make huge sacrifice to help his dreamFranco Colapinto has shared the significant sacrifices his family made to support his dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver. His father sold their house to finance Colapinto's first full-time season in racing, which was in the F4 Spanish Championship, where he achieved notable success in 2019.
Colapinto's journey highlights the challenges faced by aspiring racers from South America, as opportunities are limited. His story resonates with other drivers in the sport, such as Liam Lawson and Fred Vesti, who have also experienced similar sacrifices from their families to pursue their racing ambitions.Fri 18 Sep · 13:04 UTC
via the-race.comThe real reason Russell and Piastri are struggling in F1 2026In the 2026 Formula 1 season, drivers like George Russell and Oscar Piastri are facing significant challenges due to a mismatch between their driving styles and the new car and tire regulations. Russell finished fifth in the Madring race, significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, and noted that his struggles stem from how he drives compared to the demands of the current generation of cars. He observed that drivers who are performing well, such as Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris, share similar driving styles that align better with the 2026 car characteristics.
The article discusses how the reduced downforce and tire grip of the 2026 cars have raised the crossover point of circuit grip, making certain driving techniques less effective. While Russell and Piastri tend to drive with a geometric ideal that works well on high-grip tracks, they struggle as grip decreases. In contrast, drivers like Hamilton and Norris have adapted their styles to better manage energy and grip, allowing them to perform more effectively. Ultimately, Russell and Piastri must adjust their approaches to keep pace with their competitors in this evolving racing landscape.
Fri 18 Sep · 09:11 UTC
via PlanetF1Untelevised Colapinto team radio captures sweary Spanish GP rantFranco Colapinto, driving for Alpine, experienced significant frustration during the Spanish Grand Prix due to team orders that he felt hindered his performance. As Pierre Gasly struggled with the race strategy, Colapinto was vocal about his desire to swap positions with Gasly to avoid losing time to McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Despite his repeated requests, the team did not act on his pleas until Gasly pitted, which ultimately allowed Colapinto to maintain his position and finish in P7.
The race featured a tense atmosphere as both Alpine drivers dealt with strategic challenges. Gasly questioned the team's decision-making regarding his pit stop, leading to a heated exchange with his race engineer. Meanwhile, Colapinto's frustration was evident in his team radio communications, where he expressed disbelief at the lack of action from the team. Ultimately, both drivers faced a challenging race, with Colapinto achieving a respectable finish while Gasly ended up in P12.
Thu 17 Sep · 15:11 UTCColapinto reveals pre-race sex banSep.17 (GMM) Franco Colapinto has revealed an unusual rule in his preparation for Formula 1 weekends – avoiding sex before racing. Speaking on Spanish television program La Revuelta, the Alpine driver was asked whether he had had sex in the previous month. “No, I’ve been involved in many races,” said the 23-year-old. Colapinto said the…
via PlanetF1Andrea Stella addresses Oscar Piastri's performance issuesMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has identified that Oscar Piastri's driving style may not be well-suited to the current Formula 1 cars. Piastri has struggled this season, contributing less than 40% to McLaren's overall points.+ 1 moreWed 16 Sep · 17:58 UTC
via grandprix.comMcLaren aims to help Piastri regain competitive edgeAndrea Stella stated that McLaren has a clear agenda to help Oscar Piastri unlock his potential as he adjusts to the 2026 car. Stella noted that improving Piastri's qualifying and execution is essential for him to close the performance gap to his teammate Lando Norris.
via F1iColapinto: Madrid ‘probably my best race weekend’ in F1Franco Colapinto described his performance at the Spanish Grand Prix as his best race weekend in Formula 1, highlighting a strong qualifying session and a solid race that culminated in a seventh-place finish. He noted that everything fell into place, allowing him to maximize his performance and secure points for Alpine, especially after a previous points-scoring race in Italy.
Colapinto attributed part of his success to learning from his teammate Pierre Gasly, particularly during qualifying. He felt a strong connection with the car and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement as he looks forward to upcoming races, including the next event in Baku.
Wed 16 Sep · 09:33 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star issues Zak Brown apology after getting it badly wrong about Oscar PiastriRomain Grosjean has publicly apologized to Zak Brown after mistakenly misquoting the McLaren CEO regarding Oscar Piastri's performance. Grosjean's initial comments suggested that Brown had criticized Piastri as being slower than his teammate Lando Norris, which caused a stir online. However, Brown's actual remarks indicated that Piastri was competitive but did not achieve the same lap time as Norris during qualifying.
Oscar Piastri, who is currently experiencing a challenging season, sits seventh in the Drivers' standings, significantly trailing Norris. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Grosjean quickly retracted his comments and expressed regret for the misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for drivers within the McLaren team.Tue 15 Sep · 20:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri’s McLaren engineer admits he had an ‘impossible’ problem at the Spanish Grand PrixOscar Piastri had a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, starting with a collision with George Russell that damaged his front-left endplate. Despite qualifying in seventh place, the damage hindered his performance, and McLaren was unable to make necessary repairs during the race. Piastri struggled with overtaking opportunities due to the track's design, ultimately finishing in eighth place while teammate Lando Norris managed to secure third despite facing his own difficulties with pit timing.
Piastri's race engineer, Tom Stallard, noted the difficulties of overtaking and the impact of the damage on Piastri's performance. After the race, Piastri expressed his frustration but also highlighted the importance of learning from the experience. Moving forward, McLaren plans to focus on providing more support to Piastri as he continues to adapt and improve in the upcoming races.Tue 15 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via F1iPiastri salvages silver ling despite Madrid miseryOscar Piastri faced a difficult race at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in eighth place after sustaining front wing damage on the first lap due to contact with George Russell. Starting on hard compound tyres, Piastri found himself stuck in traffic, which hindered his ability to make progress on the tight circuit. The deployment of the Virtual Safety Car further complicated his strategy, as it allowed other drivers to pit for fresh tyres at a crucial moment.
Despite the challenges, Piastri managed to salvage some points and noted that there were positive aspects to take away from the race, particularly during moments when he had clear track ahead. He expressed hope that the data collected would help McLaren improve their setup and strategy for upcoming races, emphasizing the need for a thorough review to address the issues faced during the event.Tue 15 Sep · 16:27 UTC
via f1technical.netHow did the VSC boost and derail Alpine's Madrid race at the same time?Alpine came away from the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid with a valuable haul of points after Franco Colapinto produced one of his strongest weekends of the season to finish seventh, while Pierre Gasly was left frustrated after a high-risk strategy failed to pay off.
Tue 15 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhat Colapinto learned from Gasly's Monza pole to make his Madrid breakthroughFranco Colapinto has acknowledged the significant impact Pierre Gasly's qualifying performance at Monza had on his own development. After qualifying eighth at Monza, where Gasly achieved a surprising pole position, Colapinto analyzed the data to identify areas for improvement. He noted that while he was close to Gasly in Q1, the gap widened in subsequent sessions, prompting him to focus on understanding Gasly's performance enhancements.
At the Spanish Grand Prix, Colapinto applied the lessons learned from Monza, ultimately finishing seventh after successfully reaching Q3. He highlighted the importance of energy management and driving techniques that he observed from Gasly. Colapinto expressed pride in his qualifying performance in Madrid, stating it was one of his best sessions and reflecting on the progress he made since Monza.
Tue 15 Sep · 07:18 UTCPage 3 of 13
