Piastri says mental training may outweigh physical prep

Oscar Piastri says mental conditioning is as vital as physical fitness for an F1 driver. After fighting for the championship in 2025, the 25‑year‑old McLaren driver argues that a clear mindset can be the difference between finding that elusive tenth of a second and leaving it on the table.

Why it matters:

A driver’s mental state influences how effectively they translate a car’s performance into lap time. In a sport where gains are measured in hundredths of a second, a compromised focus can waste a full tenth, costing points and podium chances.

The details:

• Mental training vs. physical training: Piastri told Quad Lock that mental conditioning is “probably equally, if not more, important than physical training” for extracting peak performance.
• Margin of improvement: Engineers chase 0.2‑second gains; a driver’s mindset can gain or lose a whole tenth of a second.
• Rookie burnout: In 2023 Piastri felt “absolutely knackered” mentally and stopped thinking about racing after the final race.
• 2025 pressure: During a title fight he prioritized energy allocation, stress reduction, and choosing battles wisely.
• Room to improve: He will work with his team on stress‑reduction tactics and mental coaching to maximise his potential.

What's next:

Looking ahead to 2026, Piastri plans to embed structured mental‑coaching sessions into his routine, working with McLaren’s performance staff and a sports‑psychology specialist. He hopes the added mental edge will help him convert marginal time gains into consistent podium finishes.