As Oscar Piastri entered the interview area at the McLaren Technology Centre, he exuded a calm and composed demeanor. The Australian driver had recently arrived in town for a simulator session with his engineering team earlier in the week, and now he was engaging in a content day with us among various stops.
Piastri typically maintains a friendly and easygoing attitude, though last year tested his resilience. He witnessed his substantial 34-point lead in the championship diminish as his teammate, Lando Norris, surged ahead to clinch his first Formula 1 title, marking him as the 35th champion in the sport. Returning to his homeland of Australia for a winter break felt especially rejuvenating.
Now back to the grind, Piastri appears fully recharged and prepared for the upcoming challenges. Reflecting on his previous season—his third in Formula 1—he has identified numerous positives, along with valuable lessons that will bolster his performance in 2026.
“For me, it was important to just have some time to chill out and probably not think about racing for a couple of weeks, which was nice,” Piastri noted, having won seven Grands Prix last season.
He continued, “The reflections come naturally on the previous season and I think when you take a step back from being in the thick of it, especially at the end of the season, it was nice to look back on all the positive moments that happened.” He acknowledged that while there were challenging moments, the distance allowed him to appreciate the positives.
Piastri entered the summer break of 2025 looking like a champion in the making, boasting an impressive record of 15 podium finishes in 16 races. However, a streak of six races without a podium due to some costly errors hindered his momentum, leading to a significant setback that proved too challenging to overcome.
Many elite athletes believe that losses provide greater lessons than victories, and Piastri embodies this philosophy. Instead of dwelling on his near miss, he acknowledges that last year represented a considerable advancement in his performance compared to prior seasons, keeping his aspirations for future championships alive at just 24 years of age.
“There’s definitely a lot of tough lessons you learn when things aren’t going the way you want,” he explained. “I’m always someone that tries to take what I can from any situation, regardless of how good or bad it’s been.”
He emphasized the importance of reflecting on the previous season, stating, “There was a lot of positive moments and just positive attributes from last season that I really want to take into this season.” Piastri noted the significant improvement in his performance from 2024 to 2025, which he found gratifying.
Looking ahead, Piastri believes they now possess a blueprint for replicating that success. Despite the new challenges introduced in 2026, he is confident that past experiences will guide their efforts in managing time and resources effectively.
Anticipating the New F1 Season
The upcoming 2026 Formula 1 vehicle presents a completely different challenge, featuring a narrower and shorter chassis along with active aerodynamics. The power unit will exhibit a balanced 50-50 split between fuel and electric power, demanding more from drivers through various functions like boost, overtake, and recharge.
Piastri expresses excitement about the upcoming challenges, especially the opportunity to compete once again against his teammate Norris, with whom he shares a strong rapport. “Obviously, we don’t know what our car is going to be like, and that’s the first piece of the puzzle that you need to be strong,” he remarked, eager to see how it unfolds.
Reflecting on last season, he acknowledged the competitive nature of their championship fight, stating, “There was definitely a point that was probably more challenging than fun but, when you look back on it, the opportunity that both of us had to fight for a championship – and I say this being on the wrong end of the end result – it was an awesome year to be part of that.”
Piastri recognizes these moments as the essence of sports, highlighting the joy of competition and the areas for personal growth. He believes their dynamic kept both drivers sharp throughout the season, a trend he expects to continue as teammates.
Despite some tense moments between Piastri and Norris since they became teammates in 2023, their collaboration has largely fostered unity and teamwork. This synergy has been instrumental in McLaren’s resurgence as a competitive team, culminating in back-to-back Teams’ Championships over the last two seasons.
This cooperation will be crucial in 2026, given the learning curve associated with the new cars. The initial hierarchy on the grid will be hard to gauge, and teams that start the season strong may not necessarily maintain that advantage throughout.
“What was really encouraging for both of us and for the whole team more so was that even when we were fighting for a championship, the way we worked together was still the same,” Piastri remarked.
He added, “There were certain points through the year where it wasn’t just us two fighting for wins. We had some fellow competitors joining the fight, and ultimately, we want to make it a battle between us two as much as we can.”
Piastri concluded by emphasizing the significance of raising the team’s performance level swiftly amidst the significant rule changes. Reflecting on their past experiences, he believes they are well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead, stating, “So, if we have to do it again, then we know what that looks like.”
