Piastri admits missing title fight pressure in 2026

Oscar Piastri has said he misses the pressure of a Formula 1 title battle, having been in a fight for the championship with McLaren teammate Lando Norris a year ago. The Australian finished 13 points behind Max Verstappen in the 2025 standings after a late-season slump, and he is now without a win in 2026 and has not reached the podium in 16 races.

McLaren have slipped to fourth in the Constructors' standings, 254 points behind champions Mercedes, following the new technical rules. Piastri said he wants to be in title contention every year, but accepted that the current season is more relaxed. He added that the team's aim is to beat Red Bull for second in the Constructors' Championship, with a 17-point gap to close over the final three rounds.

Norris won in Brazil, his third victory of the year, after benefiting from McLaren's latest upgrades. Piastri said the MCL40 remains difficult to drive and that the team is making slow progress in understanding what needs to change.