Oscar Piastri Struggles with Pace Compared to Lando Norris in F1 2026

Oscar Piastri is experiencing difficulties in achieving optimal performance with the McLaren Formula 1 car, particularly in comparison to his teammate Lando Norris, who has recently won two consecutive races from pole position.

While Norris secured victories in Budapest and Zandvoort, Piastri has faced setbacks, including a did-not-finish (DNF) and a sixth-place finish. This has resulted in Norris being fourth in the standings, with a 55-point lead over Piastri, who is currently seventh.

Piastri noted that he has struggled to extract the necessary pace from the car, particularly under the new regulations that have reduced downforce. Despite showing potential in qualifying, he has not been able to maintain competitive performance during races. McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, attributed Piastri's issues to technical factors, including a slow pit stop and difficulties in switching on hard tires during the race.