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Oscar Piastri's self-ridicule amid disastrous F1 start
Emily Benammar • March 27th, 2026 12:08 pm
- Qualifying in Japan at 5pm AEDT Sat March 28
- The Grand Prix is 4pm AEDT Sunday March 29
Oscar Piastri delivered three of the most self-deprecating words when asked what his ambitions are for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
“Start the race,” the Australian said. “That would probably help.”
Piastri has not made it to the start line for either of the two opening rounds in 2026 which included a crash on his formation lap in Australia and a DNS in China owing to car issues.
It was the first time in 57 years McLaren had a driver not start the first two races of the season and the first time since 2005 Indianapolis that both drivers had been forced to withdraw after Lando Norris also suffered electrical issues in Shanghai.
“Just to take part in the grand prix, that would be good. We’ll try and at least see the lights come on this week and go from there,” Piastri continued.
“But I think we kind of know where we sit in the pecking order, so we’re not expecting too many surprises there. Just executing a solid weekend would be good.”
Both races this year have been won by Mercedes who are the out and out best performing team under the transformational new regulations introduced in 2026.
Ferrari have also impressed but it’s been a miserable journey so far for McLaren and Red Bull.
And with the next two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled because of the ongoing war in the Middle East, Piastri acknowledges that while some may say it’s “just two races” there is a big gap to claw back.
And with the next two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled because of the ongoing war in the Middle East, Piastri acknowledges that while some may say it’s “just two races” there is a big gap to claw back.
“Obviously, we’re optimistic that we can turn things round quickly and we’ve proven we can do that,” he said. “It is a massive gap to close, though. Even the sprint race in China, the gap is up to a second a lap that we’re lacking.
“So even if we bring some of the upgrades we had in 2023 that vaulted us towards the front of the grid, we need more than one of those to close the gap ... we need to find quite a lot from various areas.”
Unfortunately for both papaya drivers, Andrea Stella has confirmed there will be no upgrades to the McLaren until Miami.
"Obviously, a shame. We've put a lot of joint effort into understanding the problem to make sure it doesn't happen again. We know what went wrong, at least,” Piastri added.
"There's not much we can do as a team, apart from learn from what went wrong and go forward.
"In China, in particular, there was nothing that was in our control that we could change. Obviously, we're working with HPP.
"In China, in particular, there was nothing that was in our control that we could change. Obviously, we're working with HPP.
"Regardless of where the issue lies or who it lies with, at the end of the day, no one wants to see two cars not starting the race, so we're working hard to try and fix that."
"It's certainly not been the most ideal start, that's for sure.
"From a competitive standpoint, we're not as fast as we want to be, so we've got plenty to focus on, apart from just a bad couple of races - or non-races. That's what we're putting our energy into, that's what I'm putting my energy into.
"A lot of the things that I can control so far, like qualifying, have gone well, considering where we stand. There are just so many things to try and understand with these cars, with these power units, and that's what we're trying to put our energy into, and I feel like I have a good grasp of that.
"We've got optimism that we can improve in the future. We've got the proof that we've done that in the past. It's obviously going to take time, but I think we're all confident that we can achieve that.
"We all have that taste of success now, and we want to get back to it as quickly as possible."
Mclaren sit third in the standings after two rounds; 80 points behind Mercedes and 49 adrift of Ferrari.
