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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 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 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 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 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 f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle and Nico Rosberg won’t accept McLaren explanation for Oscar Piastri’s drop-offMcLaren has cited Oscar Piastri's driving style as a key factor in his disappointing performance during the 2026 season, where he has only managed two podium finishes in the first 14 races. Team principal Andrea Stella mentioned that Piastri struggles with the MCL40 due to reduced downforce, which has made the car more challenging to handle. This situation contrasts sharply with his successful 2025 season, where he won seven races and was a strong contender for the championship.
Former drivers Martin Brundle and Nico Rosberg have expressed skepticism regarding McLaren's explanation. Brundle emphasized the importance of adaptability in F1, while Rosberg argued that top drivers must be versatile to succeed. Both commentators noted that Piastri's smooth driving style may not be suited to the current car dynamics, which require a more aggressive approach. Meanwhile, Lando Norris's improved performance has shifted the team dynamics, further highlighting Piastri's struggles.Mon 14 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comNico Rosberg says one Oscar Piastri issue exposed ‘pretty shocking’ reality of the MadringThe Madring made its debut as the host of the Spanish Grand Prix, facing significant criticism for its design and lack of overtaking opportunities. Nico Rosberg highlighted the challenges drivers faced, particularly Oscar Piastri, who was unable to overtake Franco Colapinto despite being on fresher tires, illustrating the track's limitations.
During the race, Fernando Alonso narrowly avoided a collision with Carlos Sainz, emphasizing the circuit's dangers. Piastri's race was compromised early on due to front wing damage, and he expressed frustration over the lack of overtaking options and the timing of the Virtual Safety Car, which hindered his strategy.Mon 14 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri admits to exceeding track limitsDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri received a black-and-white flag from the FIA for exceeding track limits. The McLaren driver admitted he had gone too far with his maneuver, finishing the race in eighth place.
Sun 13 Sep · 21:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris Outperforming Oscar Piastri in 2026 SeasonRalf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya have commented on Lando Norris's performance relative to teammate Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2026. Both analysts suggest that Norris's skills are highlighting Piastri's struggles in comparison.Sun 13 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1technical.netPiastri reveals why he "didn’t have that last bit we needed in the last run"Oscar Piastri expressed disappointment after qualifying seventh for the Spanish Grand Prix, despite McLaren showing competitive pace with Lando Norris achieving pole position. Piastri's performance was hindered by a cautious qualifying strategy that required him to use two sets of soft tyres in Q2, leaving him with only one fresh set for Q3, which affected his final lap performance.
Piastri acknowledged that while the team made improvements throughout the qualifying sessions, he lacked the final pace needed to challenge for a higher position. He emphasized the importance of strategy for the race, given the expected difficulty in overtaking and uncertainties regarding tyre degradation after practice sessions.
Sat 12 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris to rely on Oscar Piastri information in Madrid 'backfoot' recoveryLando Norris faced a setback at the Spanish Grand Prix when he was unable to participate in the second practice session due to a gearbox failure on his McLaren. This issue forced him to miss a significant portion of practice time, which he acknowledged would put him on the back foot as he prepares for the race weekend.
To compensate for the lost time, Norris intends to analyze data from his teammate Oscar Piastri, who successfully completed the session and finished seventh. Piastri noted the challenges of mastering the new circuit and highlighted the importance of tire management, indicating that both drivers will need to work hard to improve their performance ahead of qualifying.Sat 12 Sep · 05:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya sees the one area Lando Norris ‘always’ outclasses Oscar PiastriJuan Pablo Montoya feels Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri face the same issue because of their teammates, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. ...Fri 11 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via F1iPiastri insists ‘we’re all good’ after heated Monza battle with NorrisOscar Piastri has downplayed any concerns regarding team dynamics at McLaren following a tense race with teammate Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Despite a heated battle for fourth place, which included some close moments and Norris expressing frustration over team radio, both drivers have moved past the incident and maintain a positive relationship, even spending time together off the track.
Piastri also reflected on his performance and adaptation to the 2026 McLaren car, noting that he has faced challenges but found some improvements during the Monza race. As they head to the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, Piastri is eager to see how his recent progress translates into results on a new track.Fri 11 Sep · 09:48 UTC
via RacingNews365Piastri and Lawson caution on Madring circuit risksThe Madring will host its inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend, presenting unique challenges for the drivers. Feedback from the grid highlights the circuit's complexity and the potential for mistakes as they navigate the new layout.Thu 10 Sep · 18:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri McLaren contract: Rosberg makes McLaren team orders claimNico Rosberg has expressed that Lando Norris is the standout driver at McLaren, suggesting that Oscar Piastri may need to adopt a supporting role in the 2026 season. Following the recent Monza race, where Norris finished fourth, Rosberg noted that while Norris is the primary title contender for McLaren, Piastri's strong performance, finishing just two-tenths behind Norris, indicates his growing competitiveness within the team.
Rosberg raised the possibility of McLaren implementing team orders to support Norris's championship bid, but he also pointed out that Piastri's contract may prevent him from being relegated to a number two position. He compared this situation to his own experience at Mercedes, where contractual obligations influenced team dynamics. Despite the challenges, Piastri has received praise from McLaren's team principal for his progress in adapting to the demands of the current season.
Wed 9 Sep · 18:01 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri explains 'quite bizarre' Italian GP battle with Lewis HamiltonOscar Piastri had a strong performance at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing in fifth place after a competitive battle with Lewis Hamilton. The race featured significant energy management challenges, which Piastri found unusual and difficult to navigate, especially during his exchanges with Hamilton.
Despite the challenges, Piastri noted that the experience was better than a race with no action. He reflected on the strategic aspects of energy usage, highlighting how Hamilton's aggressive battery use initially gave him an advantage before Piastri managed to reclaim his position.Wed 9 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAndrea Stella confirms McLaren ‘investigation’ after Oscar Piastri proved MCL40 issue at MonzaAndrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, announced that the team will investigate issues with their MCL40 car, particularly highlighted by Oscar Piastri's performance at the Italian Grand Prix. Piastri's braking difficulties during qualifying exposed flaws that McLaren had previously identified and planned to address with new brakes at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
McLaren is focusing on improving the car's performance, especially in slow corners, as they prepare for the Azerbaijan race. The team aims to resolve the braking issues and enhance the car's overall efficiency before the final races of the 2026 F1 season.Wed 9 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comF1TV interviewer noticed one significant change in Oscar Piastri at the Italian Grand PrixOscar Piastri experienced a notable shift in performance during the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fifth despite a three-place grid penalty for impeding another driver. He engaged in a competitive battle with his teammate Lando Norris, ultimately expressing satisfaction with his race, which marked a potential turning point in his season after struggling with the new regulations in 2026.
Throughout the season, Piastri has faced challenges with race pace and battery management, contrasting with Norris's success. However, following the Italian Grand Prix, he felt he was finally able to drive the McLaren MCL40 as he intended, suggesting a positive development in his confidence and performance on track.Tue 8 Sep · 20:00 UTCPage 4 of 9