Oscar Piastri remains focused on key goals during the final rounds of the season despite being out of the 2026 drivers’ championship fight. His priorities include improving his performance at historically difficult circuits and understanding McLaren’s latest upgrade package to ensure next year’s car is less edgy to drive.
McLaren Upgrades and Driving Challenges
McLaren is introducing its final update package of the season in stages, having added a new front suspension geometry and rear diffuser tweaks at the United States Grand Prix, with additional components planned as soon as shipping permits. While these modifications aim to elevate performance, McLaren is still evaluating their exact impact while dealing with an MCL40 that requires an aggressive, qualifying-style approach on every lap, as Piastri told media including Motorsport.com in Mexico City.
Piastri described the adaptation as a big challenge, noting that fundamental aspects of the current generation of cars will not change. He mentioned that the Austin weekend was a step back, but emphasized that temporary setbacks can be necessary to experiment and find proper footing. Although the triple-header leading up to Austin showed positive progress, both Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris continue wrestling with a sensitive car that operates within a narrow window. External factors such as bumps and windy conditions further amplify these handling difficulties, and while the car is faster post-Austin, rival teams remain extremely quick.
Examining Car Sensitivity and Future Focus
Addressing the root causes of the car’s sensitivity, Piastri told Motorsport.com that a combination of factors is responsible, pointing to lower downforce levels and tyre characteristics. He explained that races increasingly demand a qualifying driving style, making it extremely difficult to tread the performance line. While tyre development and rule changes play a part, Piastri noted that answers regarding whether the sensitivity is uniquely McLaren-specific will likely become clear next year.
Beyond the ongoing constructors’ championship battle where McLaren sits equal on 355 points with Red Bull—though ranked fourth due to fewer race wins—the final races serve as crucial testing ground for the 2027 car. Development focus shifted fully to next year’s machine once the current upgrade package entered production in early autumn. Piastri stated that gathering as many answers and tools as possible for the future remains his primary motivation for the remainder of the campaign.
