"We'll have to wait and see": Oscar Piastri tempers expectations before the first Grand Prix of the season

Just hours before the first practice sessions of the Melbourne Grand Prix (Australia), Oscar piastri appeared at a press conference to discuss his expectations for the 2026 season, his ambitions McLaren and his own progress as a driver. The opening of the championship of Formula 1 Racing in his homeland in 2026 brings special pressure, but also unique motivation for the 21-year-old Australian, who has already been closely followed since his Formula 1 debut in 2023.

"We'll have to wait and see. The regulations are very different. It would be very optimistic to say that we'll have the same format as 12 months ago." he admitted to the press gathered at Albert Park. "I think we're in the race, but based on the tests, it seems that Mercedes Benz et Classic Ferrari for sale are a little ahead of us and Red BullI would say.

The hope of doing better than in 2025

Last year, Oscar Piastri established himself as the favorite and the best of the McLaren drivers at the start of the season. Victorious in four of the first six Grands Prix, he led the championship for many weeks before ultimately losing out to his teammate by just 13 points. Lando Norris et Max Verstappen.

Although he returned to Melbourne, the circuit where he had come close to victory, only to lose it after running wide onto the grass due to a wet track, he ultimately finished in ninth position. Despite this setback, the Australian continued his season well, and McLaren would like to maintain this momentum, but their driver prefers to keep his expectations in perspective. “Things are evolving very quickly, everyone is learning and contributing to the car. So we’ll have to wait and see. Last year, we arrived here with very high hopes of achieving something exceptional. This year, I think we can still get a good result, but to reach the same level of performance, we’ll need to find that little something extra.”

Like the rest of the field, Oscar Piastri is discovering a radically different Formula 1 with the arrival of the new engine regulations. “A lot has changed. As Lewis said, the driving, the car setup, everything is optimized to get the most out of the engine. […] What’s difficult with these new regulations is that a lot of things we have to learn as drivers aren’t very intuitive; so it takes time to adapt and a lot of discipline.”

On a personal level, he admits to still lacking direction: “It’s difficult to say, as we haven’t started yet. What’s changing this year is obviously the reset of the regulations. […] Some of the challenges, changes in driving style, and points we’re studying are probably unprecedented. I’m confident we can still make progress […] and we’ll see where that takes us.” The pre-season tests in Bahrain and Barcelona did not completely dispel the doubt: “Some of Ferrari’s race simulations were really impressive. […] For Mercedes, […] Barcelona was very impressive and set the bar very high. They arrived with a car that was working almost flawlessly. […] We feel like we’re in the mix, but not yet at the front.”

"It's very particular to Melbourne."

Back home, the McLaren driver enjoys a welcome befitting his new status as a title contender. The entrance to the Albert Park circuit, transformed each year into "Melbourne Walk" Where fans get close to the drivers, it remains a special moment for him: “For me, it’s quite special because most of the autographs I sign are for me, which is always nice. […] It’s very particular in Melbourne. The fact that most of the support is for me adds an extra dimension to it all.”

However, despite the emotion, the 24-year-old driver refuses to see it as a source of pressure: “There are no bonus points for racing at home or anything like that. […] As far as my job and giving my best is concerned, it’s exactly the same wherever I am in the world.” And on the famous question of the dream of a home victory, a first in 51 years since Max Stewart in 1975, he responds humorously: “If I had a dollar every time I was asked that question, I’d be a few dollars richer! That would be truly exceptional. Every driver dreams of winning their home race, and that’s true for me too. […] I would love to win here. If our car is capable of it, and even if it isn’t, I’ll give it my all.”

As McLaren aims for a third consecutive Constructors' title, internal stability remains a key issue. Following some tensions in 2025, Oscar Piastri wanted to clarify his relationship with Zak Brown, the team's CEO: “My relationship with Zak is excellent and has grown stronger over time. He’s really very pleasant and it’s a pleasure to have him by my side. He and Andrea have very different styles that complement each other perfectly.” Finally, regarding the internal hierarchy with Lando Norris, which has been questioned on numerous occasions in 2025, he states unequivocally: “We always race in the best interests of the team. […] I have nothing to prove. […] A surefire way to ensure you don't win a championship is to alienate your own team.” 

Melbourne is therefore not only the venue for the first Grand Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season: it's also the moment when McLaren and Oscar Piastri will begin to translate the hours spent in the simulator and on the test tracks into concrete results. After a very unclear winter testing period regarding the teams' performance levels, this weekend promises to be a true test of the team's competitiveness and the young driver's ability to shine on home soil.

ALSO READ > McLaren arrives in Melbourne with a package close to the one seen in testing.