McLaren’s Oscar Piastri believes the results of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix won’t fully define who succeeds in the first season under F1’s new regulations.
While McLaren dominated in 2025, this year’s major rule changes mean fans will see entirely new car designs on the track. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has already acknowledged that Mercedes and Ferrari appear to have an edge over McLaren and Red Bull, based on pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of his home race at Albert Park, Piastri said: “I think we’re in the mix at the moment.”
“We’ll find out for sure soon enough, but I don’t think we’re quite in the position we were 12 months ago where we felt like we were the strongest.”
“I think this season is not going to be won by who’s quickest, or who’s the best, at the first race.”
Even if McLaren starts behind their rivals this weekend, Piastri is confident they can catch up quickly.
While Oscar is starting the year cautiously, F1 commentator David Croft believes he has what it takes to become the 2026 Formula 1 world champion.
Speaking at the Kayo Sports Motorsport Launch in Melbourne, Croft singled out the Australian as his pick in what he expects to be a tight title battle.
Croft said he saw clear evidence of growth from the driver, declaring him “a world champion in the making” and believes Piastri will respond strongly after his late-season dip in 2025.
Want to catch the action? Formula One cars will hit the track for the first time this season on Friday, March 6th, at 12:30pm for Free Practice One. Qualifying kicks off on Saturday, March 7th, at 4pm, before the main event goes lights out at 3pm AEDT.
