McLaren
Oscar Piastri praised for smart drive to second at Japanese GP
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Oscar Piastri delivered a composed drive from third on the grid to second place at the Japanese Grand Prix, earning praise from F1 TV analyst Alex Brundle. A safety car triggered by Oliver Bearman's crash altered the race, allowing Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli to pit cheaply and secure victory. McLaren showed improved form at Suzuka after a troubled start to the 2026 season.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured second place at the Japanese Grand Prix, his first podium of the 2026 season. The Australian driver described it as one of his best Formula 1 weekends despite finishing behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. McLaren also earned points with Lando Norris in fifth.
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McLaren showed encouraging signs at the Japanese Grand Prix qualifying, with Oscar Piastri in third and Lando Norris fifth, but team principal Andrea Stella doubts a podium challenge against Ferrari. Norris faced mechanical issues limiting his practice running, leaving him playing catch-up. The session highlighted the challenges of Formula 1's new 2026 regulations.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri was unable to start his home Formula 1 race at the Australian Grand Prix after crashing during reconnaissance laps. The incident occurred around 40 minutes before the race, destroying the front end of his car. Piastri attributed the crash to a combination of cold tyres and an unexpected power spike from his engine.
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McLaren's Oscar Piastri topped FP2 at the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix with a 1:19.729s lap, ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Teams grappled with energy management under new rules at Albert Park, Aston Martin hit by battery woes, while Ferrari led FP1 but voiced concerns over Mercedes' pace.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated that Mercedes and Ferrari outperformed his team in race simulations during the first pre-season test in Bahrain. He highlighted their competitive pace while noting Red Bull's strong position. Stella cautioned against overinterpreting test results but placed Ferrari and Mercedes at the top early on.
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During the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, McLaren reported progress in reliability and mileage but identified key areas for improvement, particularly in power unit efficiency. Lando Norris acknowledged that the team trails Red Bull and Ferrari, while team principal Andrea Stella called for discussions on safety concerns related to race starts and overtaking. The testing concluded with Mercedes posting the fastest overall time.
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February 25, 2026 00:04Stella views Ferrari and Mercedes as teams to beat after Bahrain test
February 24, 2026 13:23Motorsport.com assesses Oscar Piastri's 2026 F1 title chances
February 21, 2026 14:45Red Bull shows promise in F1 2026 pre-season testing
February 20, 2026 01:27Lando Norris tempers McLaren's 2026 Formula 1 title expectations