Oscar Piastri heads into the 2026 F1 season with clarity and unfinished business. Speaking to F1TV after a highly competitive 2025 campaign, the McLaren driver reflected on what worked, what did not, and how both he and the team can raise their level moving forward.
Reflecting on 2025 and refining the approach
While much of that work happened remotely, Piastri stressed that communication with the team never dropped. Asked whether he had spent much time with team leadership during the break, he explained:
“Yes and no, I mean a lot of virtual time I would say, not that much face-to-face just because we’re in very different parts of the world obviously but no, we kept in close contact and you know I think we knew you know as soon as the season ended, that there was some things that we wanted to improve and things we wanted to change from last year.
“Whilst it was a very successful season we didn’t do everything right, and we didn’t do everything as well as we could have and it was really important for me and also for them to make sure we’re very clear about what we want to change going forward.
“We had some good discussions in the break about how we can do that and what it will look like.
“But yeah, also just you know catching up with what our holidays look like, and I know Zak definitely was itching to get back in and get back to work and I’m sure Andrea was the same but no, it was nice to keep in touch.”
Those conversations involved both Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, and they focused on details rather than wholesale change. Piastri made it clear that, despite the strong results, the team identified areas that needed improvement. The priority now lies in turning those discussions into tangible gains on track.
The car comes first
Looking ahead to the new season, Piastri remained measured about expectations. He underlined that competitiveness will depend first and foremost on the machinery beneath him.
“Yeah it’s going to be exciting I think obviously we don’t know what our car is going to be like and that’s kind of the first you know first piece of the puzzle that you need to be strong so we’ll see how that works…”
Attention inevitably turns to his ongoing battle with Lando Norris. Piastri spoke openly about the intensity of their 2025 title fight and the emotional swings that came with it.
“But yeah, I mean it was a really fun challenge last year definitely at points it was probably more challenging than fun but when you look back on it, and you know the opportunity that both of us had to fight for a championship, and you know I say this being on the wrong end of the end result. It was an awesome year to be part of that and you know those are the kind of moments and seasons that you live for in sports.”
Lessons learned
Piastri finished by highlighting how that rivalry continues to push both drivers forward, heading into the 2026 F1 season.
“So to be part of that to have that opportunity and kind of see the avenues where I did well and see the avenues where I can improve that’s good fun. We kept each other on our toes the whole year, and I’m sure that’s going to continue for as long as we’re teammates.”
