McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has offered his assessment of the current Formula 1 car hierarchy, focusing on Ferrari’s performance data and Red Bull’s recent gains. His comments contribute to an ongoing discussion regarding which team possesses the most competitive car in the 2026 season.
Piastri’s analysis follows remarks made by Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar, who suggested Max Verstappen would have secured a larger victory margin in Singapore had he been driving a Ferrari SF-26.
Piastri stated that Red Bull has become the ‘most consistently quick car’ over recent weeks. He attributed this to significant upgrades introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
These developments on the Red Bull RB22 included revised sidepods, a new floor, updated mirrors, a modified halo, and a redesigned diffuser.
The Baku upgrade package, considered the last major update for the RB22, improved the car’s driveability and predictability.
This performance enhancement directly preceded Max Verstappen’s victories at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen secured his first win of the 2026 season in Malaysia, followed by a dominant lights-to-flag victory in Singapore, his maiden triumph at Marina Bay.
Regarding Ferrari, Piastri noted that data consistently shows the SF-26 as jointly or outright quickest in corners throughout the season.
However, the Ferrari car experiences a performance deficit on straights, which Piastri suggested could stem from drag or power unit limitations.
Ferrari’s SF-26 features a capable chassis and strong cornering, particularly in technical sections and through changes of direction.
Despite its cornering strengths, the SF-26 has faced recurring issues with rear tyre management and a power unit deficit of 6-10 km/h in acceleration zones compared to Red Bull and Mercedes.
Ferrari is introducing its final major upgrade package for the SF-26 at the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
This package includes a redesigned floor, narrower sidepod intakes, and revised bodywork and cooling, aiming to improve downforce, stability, and widen the car’s operating window.
Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull Racing driver, maintained that the RB22 is not the fastest car, despite Verstappen’s recent successes.
Hadjar asserted that Verstappen would have won the Singapore Grand Prix with a greater margin if he had been driving the Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver, dismissed Hadjar’s claim as ‘nonsense.’ Leclerc stated that Hadjar has no insight into the Ferrari car, and vice versa.
Verstappen also disagreed with such comparisons, deeming it impossible to accurately assess another team’s car from his position.
In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren is currently positioned third with 339 points. Red Bull Racing follows in fourth place with 332 points, a gap of seven points.
Mercedes leads the championship with 578 points, while Ferrari holds second with 444 points.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver, supported Piastri’s data observations. He noted that Red Bull has matched Mercedes’ cornering speed and gained 3-4 tenths on straights.
Mercedes is bringing a small upgrade, approximately half a tenth, to the United States Grand Prix. This includes an upgraded front wing tested in Singapore.
During the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint, Piastri and teammate Lando Norris collided on the final lap while battling for fourth position.
Piastri retired from the Sprint, and Norris finished eighth. McLaren management, including Team Principal Andrea Stella, expressed frustration over the incident.
McLaren has concluded internal discussions regarding the collision, with Norris accepting responsibility. Both drivers are permitted to race each other, but further contact is not tolerated.
I’ve been happy with how things have been dealt with. I think the team and Zak and Andrea have handled things the way they should have been.
Piastri confirmed his satisfaction with McLaren’s handling of the Singapore incident.
