{"id":1864439,"date":"2026-04-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864439"},"modified":"2026-04-03T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:00:00","slug":"mclaren-seeing-the-strongest-oscar-piastri-since-hes-been-in-f1-after-early-setbacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864439","title":{"rendered":"McLaren seeing \u201cthe strongest Oscar Piastri since he\u2019s been in F1\u201d after early setbacks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>McLaren seeing \u201cthe strongest Oscar Piastri since he\u2019s been in F1\u201d after early setbacks<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Andrea Stella believes Oscar Piastri is performing at his &#8220;strongest&#8221; level since joining the Formula 1 grid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Adam Cooper <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-03T17:08:55+00:00\">Updated: 03 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Oscar Piastri, McLaren, F1, 2026, Japanese GP<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the Woking outfit is currently seeing \u201cthe strongest\u201d Oscar Piastri since the Australian\u2019s debut at the top level in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Having learned from being in a tough title battle last season, Piastri has shown his resilience by bouncing back from the obvious frustration of failing to start in both Melbourne and Shanghai.<\/p>\n<p>At Suzuka last weekend, he qualified third and led from the start, and he was a potential winner before the timing of the safety car favoured Kimi Antonelli. He still finished a close second to the Mercedes driver.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by <em>Crash.net<\/em> about the Suzuka race performance in the wake of his earlier disappointments, Stella made it clear that Piastri is performing at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite Oscar not having started the two main races at the start of the 2026 season, based on what we have seen in testing, in practice, in qualifying, based on his overall attitude and mental strength, I think we are I would say seeing the best version of Oscar, the strongest Oscar, since he&#8217;s been in F1,\u201d said the Italian.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think, finally, he has had an opportunity to demonstrate it, and he has done it in its full extent, having gone through two [difficult] races, and especially if we think the home race, where you are not in condition to start for a situation that was completely avoidable, it can really bog you down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella stressed that the drivers have played an important role in pushing the team to greater heights in the wake of setbacks such as the double non-start in China.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9bebeefe9245f24b0b8439da505c6b2c34137ae8c340f9281d3a6219870d4be8\">  Lando Norris reveals why he struggled more than Oscar Piastri in Japan   Did race-altering safety car really rob Piastri of Japanese GP win? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf anything, I think we&#8217;ve seen his steadiness, his strength, and a strength that he has been able to pass on to the team,\u201d he noted. \u201cBecause the team gets a lot of inspiration from the charismatic leadership that the drivers can offer, and that&#8217;s definitely been a boost for the entire team to go through the adversities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo really well done to Oscar for the way he&#8217;s been facing this start to the season. And now it&#8217;s our responsibility, McLaren and the team, to offer Lando [Norris] and Oscar, once again, a car that can compete for victories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella admitted that being in the fight with Mercedes in Japan was not expected: \u201cI think today we are surprised ourselves, honestly, that we were in condition to win.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c78fe851b4db3166ff8ca57333619ab7610c79188c4dea6568ee499bec1e24dc\">  F1 drivers \u201cat the mercy of what\u2019s behind\u201d as they\u2019re \u201cnot in control\u201d of deployment   Antonelli scores historic F1 Japanese GP win after safety car boost <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think if we want to be in this condition consistently in the future, we will have to improve the chassis by a few tenths of a second. And that&#8217;s the aim that we have in relation to bringing upgrades to the coming races.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Oscar Piastri<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">McLaren<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> F1 champion Max Verstappen announces next Nurburgring outing<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Red Bull offers Miami F1 hope to Max Verstappen, but not &#8220;miracles&#8221;<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-8e420abc5e8dd0bf4f77e6aa5939fd66f471b197aa43c2e7684f82977c77cc8a\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/ac-2.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/ac-2.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/ac-2.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Adam Cooper<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Adam Cooper attended his first F1 race at Brands Hatch as a 10-year-old fan in 1976. He became a freelance journalist for Autosport magazine in 1985 while still at university, initially covering everything from club racing to the FIA World Sportscar Championship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-9c9003c6b883967298ce20623b72a49ed0909d674ce99c1856fe8609781bf246\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>How costly has Lando Norris\u2019 lack of Japan F1 track time been?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774693653\"> 28\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403798_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Antonelli beats Russell to pole as Verstappen suffers Suzuka shocker<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774681670\"> 28\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Antonelli celebrates his second F1 career pole position in Japan\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris already on last penalty-free battery amid more engine issues<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774674998\"> 28\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403363_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris finished sixth fastest in final practice\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On top but is McLaren really fastest after early Suzuka promise? <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774615133\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/2268569108.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"McLaren knocked Mercedes off top spot in Japan\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>What caught George Russell by surprise in Japan practice<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774608988\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/m589124_japanese_grand_prix-friday-richard_pardon.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell ended up third-quickest on Friday for Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris laments &#8220;terrible&#8221; Friday in Japan after reliability woes strike<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774599423\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403561_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris, McLaren, F1, Japan, 2026\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Andrea Stella believes Oscar Piastri is performing at his &#8220;strongest&#8221; level since joining the Formula 1 grid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the Woking outfit is currently seeing \u201cthe strongest\u201d Oscar Piastri since the Australian\u2019s debut at the top level in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Having learned from being in a tough title battle last season, Piastri has shown his resilience by bouncing back from the obvious frustration of failing to start in both Melbourne and Shanghai.<\/p>\n<p>At Suzuka last weekend, he qualified third and led from the start, and he was a potential winner before the timing of the safety car favoured Kimi Antonelli. He still finished a close second to the Mercedes driver.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by <em>Crash.net<\/em> about the Suzuka race performance in the wake of his earlier disappointments, Stella made it clear that Piastri is performing at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite Oscar not having started the two main races at the start of the 2026 season, based on what we have seen in testing, in practice, in qualifying, based on his overall attitude and mental strength, I think we are I would say seeing the best version of Oscar, the strongest Oscar, since he&#8217;s been in F1,\u201d said the Italian.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think, finally, he has had an opportunity to demonstrate it, and he has done it in its full extent, having gone through two [difficult] races, and especially if we think the home race, where you are not in condition to start for a situation that was completely avoidable, it can really bog you down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella stressed that the drivers have played an important role in pushing the team to greater heights in the wake of setbacks such as the double non-start in China.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9bebeefe9245f24b0b8439da505c6b2c34137ae8c340f9281d3a6219870d4be8\">  Lando Norris reveals why he struggled more than Oscar Piastri in Japan   Did race-altering safety car really rob Piastri of Japanese GP win? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf anything, I think we&#8217;ve seen his steadiness, his strength, and a strength that he has been able to pass on to the team,\u201d he noted. \u201cBecause the team gets a lot of inspiration from the charismatic leadership that the drivers can offer, and that&#8217;s definitely been a boost for the entire team to go through the adversities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo really well done to Oscar for the way he&#8217;s been facing this start to the season. And now it&#8217;s our responsibility, McLaren and the team, to offer Lando [Norris] and Oscar, once again, a car that can compete for victories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella admitted that being in the fight with Mercedes in Japan was not expected: \u201cI think today we are surprised ourselves, honestly, that we were in condition to win.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c78fe851b4db3166ff8ca57333619ab7610c79188c4dea6568ee499bec1e24dc\">  F1 drivers \u201cat the mercy of what\u2019s behind\u201d as they\u2019re \u201cnot in control\u201d of deployment   Antonelli scores historic F1 Japanese GP win after safety car boost <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think if we want to be in this condition consistently in the future, we will have to improve the chassis by a few tenths of a second. And that&#8217;s the aim that we have in relation to bringing upgrades to the coming races.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says that the Woking outfit is currently seeing \u201cthe strongest\u201d Oscar Piastri since the Australian\u2019s debut at the top level in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Having learned from being in a tough title battle last season, Piastri has shown his resilience by bouncing back from the obvious frustration of failing to start in both Melbourne and Shanghai.<\/p>\n<p>At Suzuka last weekend, he qualified third and led from the start, and he was a potential winner before the timing of the safety car favoured Kimi Antonelli. He still finished a close second to the Mercedes driver.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by <em>Crash.net<\/em> about the Suzuka race performance in the wake of his earlier disappointments, Stella made it clear that Piastri is performing at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite Oscar not having started the two main races at the start of the 2026 season, based on what we have seen in testing, in practice, in qualifying, based on his overall attitude and mental strength, I think we are I would say seeing the best version of Oscar, the strongest Oscar, since he&#8217;s been in F1,\u201d said the Italian.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think, finally, he has had an opportunity to demonstrate it, and he has done it in its full extent, having gone through two [difficult] races, and especially if we think the home race, where you are not in condition to start for a situation that was completely avoidable, it can really bog you down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella stressed that the drivers have played an important role in pushing the team to greater heights in the wake of setbacks such as the double non-start in China.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9bebeefe9245f24b0b8439da505c6b2c34137ae8c340f9281d3a6219870d4be8\">  Lando Norris reveals why he struggled more than Oscar Piastri in Japan   Did race-altering safety car really rob Piastri of Japanese GP win? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf anything, I think we&#8217;ve seen his steadiness, his strength, and a strength that he has been able to pass on to the team,\u201d he noted. \u201cBecause the team gets a lot of inspiration from the charismatic leadership that the drivers can offer, and that&#8217;s definitely been a boost for the entire team to go through the adversities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo really well done to Oscar for the way he&#8217;s been facing this start to the season. And now it&#8217;s our responsibility, McLaren and the team, to offer Lando [Norris] and Oscar, once again, a car that can compete for victories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella admitted that being in the fight with Mercedes in Japan was not expected: \u201cI think today we are surprised ourselves, honestly, that we were in condition to win.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c78fe851b4db3166ff8ca57333619ab7610c79188c4dea6568ee499bec1e24dc\">  F1 drivers \u201cat the mercy of what\u2019s behind\u201d as they\u2019re \u201cnot in control\u201d of deployment   Antonelli scores historic F1 Japanese GP win after safety car boost <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think if we want to be in this condition consistently in the future, we will have to improve the chassis by a few tenths of a second. And that&#8217;s the aim that we have in relation to bringing upgrades to the coming races.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092847\/1\/mclaren-seeing-strongest-oscar-piastri-hes-been-f1-after-early-setbacks&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404653_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] McLaren seeing \u201cthe strongest Oscar Piastri since he\u2019s been in F1\u201d after early setbacks Andrea Stella believes Oscar Piastri is performing at his &#8220;strongest&#8221; level since joining the Formula 1 grid. Adam Cooper Updated: 03 Apr 2026 Share Oscar Piastri, McLaren, F1, 2026, Japanese GP \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images Add as a preferred source [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1864439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1864439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864439\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1864439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1864439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1864439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}