Oscar Piastri adapts to 2026 F1 cars; McLaren confirms his stay

McLaren technical director Andrea Stella said Oscar Piastri’s “too clean” driving style is less effective with the smaller, more agile 2026 Formula 1 cars, which place a greater premium on aggressive energy management. The Australian driver, who was a title contender at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is still adjusting to the new chassis requirements.

Piastri later told reporters he is confident he will remain with McLaren next season despite widespread rumours that four‑time champion Max Verstappen could move to the team. He cited reassurance from team chief Zak Brown and manager Mark Webber, who warned that “there has been a lot of fiction written” about the swap. “I trust in what Zak and Andrea have said to me and the belief in me as well,” Piastri said, adding that upcoming car upgrades should help improve performance.