Oscar Piastri: You've got to "manhandle" McLaren's F1 car to find its potential
Oscar Piastri says McLaren's 2026 Formula 1 car has to be "manhandled" to be quick, describing the MCL40 as a car that punishes drivers the moment they are not at the limit. The Australian driver has endured a difficult campaign after fighting for the title last year. He has two podiums in Japan and Miami, and sits seventh in the drivers' standings with three races to go. While speaking to ...…
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has warned that Oscar Piastri could face challenges to his McLaren future if he repeats his 2026 season. Piastri, who competed for the world title in 2025, has struggled considerably this year and is out of contention for second place in the championship with three races remaining.
During a recent appearance on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner was asked about the implications of such a season for Piastri's future within McLaren. Referring to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown as "kind of a savage" when it comes to driver changes, Steiner suggested that the 25-year-old would likely be replaced. While Lawson has been retained by Racing Bulls for 2027 alongside Arvid Lindblad, Steiner hinted that other options might emerge down the line.
He also mentioned Haas' Oliver Bearman as a driver with potential alternatives. With three rounds left in the 2026 season, Piastri is currently seventh with 152 points, trailing Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen of Red Bull, and the top three Mercedes drivers.
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