Here is the thing about racing at the absolute limit: when you are not fighting for the crown, a strange kind of quiet settles in. According to Motorsport.com, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has admitted that he is actually missing the intense stress of a Formula 1 title fight during what has proven to be a difficult 2026 campaign.
It is quite a shift from last year. The Australian led the drivers' standings for a significant stretch before ultimately taking third place behind team-mate Lando Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. That campaign brought a strong close to the ground effect regulations, but this season has told a very different story. With only three races left, he sits seventh in the standings, having missed out on both victories and podium finishes so far.
It's not going to be an easy task for sure, but I think it's possible. I think the car took a step forward this weekend, so hopefully that keeps going.
When asked if losing that title contention has been a massive blow, the McLaren racer pointed to the double-edged sword of a quieter year. "Yes and no," he explained. "I want to be in a championship fight every year if I can be, but also, it's definitely a bit more relaxed this year. Obviously, we're not wanting to be in this position, but there's not quite the same stress. But that stress that you have in a championship fight is the feeling you want, because it means you're fighting for something that is what your goal is. I am missing that feeling this year for sure."
Part of the struggle stems from the machinery itself. McLaren has failed to match the blistering pace displayed over the previous two seasons under the new rules, and the machine has been a handful from the outset. "It wasn't that easy to drive, and it's still not been easy to drive, even now," he noted, adding that understanding the necessary changes and implementing them has been a tough upward climb.
Still, there are flickers of progress. At Interlagos, Norris drove to victory on Sunday utilizing an upgraded front wing designed to improve predictability, while Piastri fought back to finish sixth after a frustrating knockout in Q2. With McLaren sitting fourth in the constructors' standings and trailing Red Bull by 17 points, bridging that gap is the primary mission for the final stretch of the year.
"Just keep learning and ultimately try and beat Red Bull in the constructors' championship. That's the big thing," he stated. "It's not going to be an easy task for sure, but I think it's possible. I think the car took a step forward this weekend, so hopefully that keeps going." Alongside the push on track, it was also confirmed on Monday that he has parted ways with his manager Mark Webber, the former Red Bull driver who guided his career from his junior days. Next week, the chase continues in Las Vegas.
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