Oscar Piastri Exposes McLaren’s “Unique Scenario” as Different Priorities Emerge

Oscar Piastri revealed how the entire McLaren crew had 'different priorities' to achieve success in the 2026 season.

Oscar Piastri Exposes McLaren’s “Unique Scenario” as Different Priorities Emerge

Oscar Piastri (via F1)

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McLaren will remain the team to watch closely as they head into the season of new regulations in 2026. Woking managed to dominate the final two years of the ground-effect era and achieve a constructors’ victory. Now, the team will have to work on the orders and ensure a fair chance to win for both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Amid the preparations, Piastri opens up on the ‘unique scenario’ for the Papaya Squad in the upcoming season.

McLaren landed in hot water in the 2025 season following botched team orders between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Though the team ensured that they remained fair towards both drivers. Norris was able to eke out better results and won the title with a mere two-point lead over Max Verstappen. As such, the team’s ambition in the 2026 season would be to maximize results and achieve a one-two in the pecking order.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri revealed the different priorities for the entire crew at McLaren. Following a positive outing in the private test session in Barcelona, Piastri noted that there was still a lot to learn, especially on the power unit side of things. Woking also needed to figure out how to go the fastest and understand the limitations of the engine.

There is still definitely a lot to learn, especially on the power unit side of things, Just how to get the most out of it and how you go the fastest, but I think we understood some of the problems and limitations, and some of the things which are just different to last year, both on the power unit and in the car.

Oscar Piastri said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Oscar Piastri revealed that the main priority for Mercedes’ power unit was to understand the quirks of the power unit, as McLaren tried to help them as well. Piastri reckoned that all information gained from him and Lando Norris was crucial for the team’s ultimate success in the 2026 season. As such, the Aussie highlighted that there were a lot of things ongoing at once, and everyone had different priorities but were working towards a common goal.

The main thing for Mercedes HPP is trying to understand the power unit as well, and we’re trying to help them. Any information that they can get from Lando and I, is very helpful, but even just running the power unit is very helpful for them. So there are a lot of things going on at once, but everyone has got slightly different priorities, but they’re trying to make us all as quick as possible.

Oscar Piastri added.

Oscar Piastri to return ‘with a vengeance’ after 2025 F1 title loss

Oscar Piastri couldn’t win the driver’s title in the 2025 season despite leading the standings for the majority of the year. The Aussie was put at a disadvantage by the team on multiple occasions and thus ultimately lost the championship. Now, Piastri is backed by multiple F1 pundits to return with vengeance against Lando Norris following his disappointing title loss.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (via DPPI)
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (via DPPI)

Martin Brundle highlighted that Oscar Piastri will certainly return with a vengeance. The Englishman highlighted that the 24-year-old learnt a lot through the disappointments in the previous season. Brundle reckoned that the ‘pain’ of losing the title would drive him to achieve more success in the coming season against Norris.

He’ll come back with a vengeance. To be honest, it was partly painful, partly brilliant for him last year. He learned a lot. I’m sure it was painful in the end for him, and I think that will be a driver. We’ve observed him. He’s an incredibly bright lad, and he’s clearly competitive. He’s a worker, and I think he’ll come back having made a big step forward.

Martin Brundle told Sky Sports F1.

The 2026 season is right around the corner, and McLaren will continue to be the team to watch. Woking will also be under scrutiny as all of their team’s decisions will be looked at critically. The British squad must ensure fair chances for both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, and only then will they achieve true success in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Continue Reading: F1 Pundit Warns 2026 Formula 1 May Lose Its “Raw” Edge