Piastri: McLaren nearing peak form but not there yet

Oscar Piastri acknowledges McLaren is building momentum with its recent upgrades but tempers expectations, stating the team is not yet back to its dominant 2025 level despite a strong Miami weekend. The Australian driver emphasizes that with rivals like Mercedes bringing their own updates, the true competitive picture will only become clear in the coming races.

Why it matters:

McLaren's resurgence from a shaky season start is a critical narrative in the 2026 championship. If the papaya squad can consistently challenge Mercedes and Ferrari at the front, it would significantly tighten the constructor's battle and add a major player to the fight for regular podiums and victories.

The details:

• After early struggles in Australia and China, McLaren's performance trajectory has turned upward, highlighted by Piastri's podium in Japan and a double-podium finish in Miami.
• The team introduced a significant upgrade package in Miami, which yielded immediate results including a surprise one-two finish in the Sprint race on pure pace.
• Piastri notes that while McLaren can now consistently challenge Mercedes, their rivals were still marginally quicker over a single lap in Miami qualifying and the main race without bringing major updates of their own.
• The driver's assessment is cautiously optimistic: "We’re certainly not quite back in the position we were last year, but we’re getting there. With more to come, it’s a good place to be."

What's next:

The immediate focus shifts to the Canadian Grand Prix, which will serve as a key benchmark.

• McLaren plans to bring further upgrades to Montreal, hoping to build on its Miami gains.
• Mercedes is also expected to introduce its own upgrade package in Canada, setting the stage for a direct comparison and a clearer understanding of the competitive hierarchy.
• As Piastri summarized, the team needs to see "where we stack up at a few different tracks" before drawing firm conclusions about its championship potential.