McLaren allocates extra engineering resources to Oscar Piastri

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that the team is allocating additional engineering resources to Oscar Piastri’s car. This strategy mirrors the approach previously used to improve Lando Norris’s performance.

Following the Spanish Grand Prix, Stella attributed Piastri’s recent struggles to purely technical issues rather than psychological factors. He noted that the Australian driver is currently “driving and thinking” behind the wheel of the MCL40, requiring more conscious processing of information rather than relying on pure instinct. This mental load is estimated to cost Piastri several tenths of a second per lap.

The performance gap between the two teammates has widened significantly. Norris currently sits fourth in the championship with 186 points and has secured two wins this season, while Piastri is in seventh place, trailing Norris by 66 points. The technical challenges are linked to the 2026 regulations, which reduced downforce levels and created a driving environment that conflicts with Piastri’s smooth driving style.