McLaren
Piastri tops FP2 as McLaren challenges Mercedes at Japanese GP
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Oscar Piastri set the fastest time of 1:30.133 in second practice for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.092 seconds on soft tires. George Russell was third for the constructors' leaders, with McLaren teammate Lando Norris fourth.
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'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.
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Formula 1 enters a pivotal year in 2026 with new regulations, placing extra scrutiny on several drivers to prove their worth. Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon, Lewis Hamilton, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar each face unique challenges following disappointing 2025 campaigns or career uncertainties. Their performances could shape their futures in the sport.
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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McLaren CEO Zak Brown has downplayed the growing debate over compression ratios in Formula 1's 2026 engine regulations, calling it standard political maneuvering in the sport. He insists that Mercedes power units, used by McLaren, comply fully with the rules. The issue centers on potential loopholes that could allow engines to exceed the mandated limits under race conditions.
Hamilton warns Ferrari risks falling behind McLaren in F1
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March 20, 2026 21:31Zak Brown rallies McLaren team ahead of Japanese Grand Prix
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February 24, 2026 13:23Motorsport.com assesses Oscar Piastri's 2026 F1 title chances
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