Oscar Piastri has stated there will be no “magic answers” for McLaren’s MCL40 this season, as he continues to experience discomfort with the car. The Australian driver is in his fourth season with the Woking-based team.
McLaren currently holds third position in the Constructors’ Championship with 339 points. This places them 239 points behind championship leader Mercedes.
Piastri has recorded two podium finishes this season, in China and Miami. However, he has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory in 2026.
His season began with consecutive non-starts in Australia and Japan. A gearbox failure while leading in Hungary also resulted in a retirement.
Piastri is seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 138 points. Teammate Lando Norris is sixth with 201 points, having secured victories in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes with 340 points. He could potentially clinch the title at the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
The MCL40 has proven difficult to drive, requiring both Piastri and Norris to adapt their driving styles. Piastri concedes he is as comfortable with the car as he is likely to be this season.
I think in the short term, it’s probably as good as it’s going to get.
He noted personal progress in recent weekends, specifically in Azerbaijan and Sepang. However, he maintains the car is still not as comfortable as he would prefer.
McLaren will introduce further upgrades to the MCL40 in the final races of the championship. These updates serve a dual purpose, aiming to improve current performance.
They will also test “fundamental concepts” for the 2027 F1 car. Team Principal Andrea Stella confirmed these upgrades would be delivered in phases.
The phased rollout will occur across the final three rounds: Austin, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo. This strategy allows McLaren to verify the full package on diverse track characteristics.
Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall described the upgrades for the United States Grand Prix as “modest.” These are intended to address braking reliability and performance issues.
Small floor changes are also part of the package for the Circuit of The Americas. Marshall indicated that 2027 regulation changes are modest, making current philosophies relevant.
McLaren is in a close battle for third place in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull is currently just seven points behind after a resurgence.
Mercedes has demonstrated strong straight-line speed and confidence into corners this season. Piastri acknowledged this as something McLaren envies.
The 2026 Pirelli tyres are narrower, with front tyres 2.5 cm and rear tyres 3 cm smaller. This change aligns with new technical regulations for smaller F1 cars.
Pirelli confirmed a five-compound range (C1-C5) for the 2026 season in November 2025. Piastri, however, downplayed the tyres as the primary factor affecting performance swings.
The United States Grand Prix weekend at COTA runs from October 23-25, 2026. This event will be crucial for McLaren’s championship aspirations and 2027 development.
