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Oscar Piastri

Piastri misses the intensity of an F1 title fight

Archive photograph: Oscar Piastri · 2026-03-15Archive photo · 2026-03-15 · Liauzh · CC BY 4.0

Piastri says 2026 feels more relaxed outside the title fight, but he misses its intensity and wants to contend for the championship every year if possible.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Oscar Piastri says his 2026 season feels more relaxed outside the Formula 1 title fight, but he misses the intensity that comes with it.

Piastri said he wants to fight for the championship every year if possible. He sees the stress as part of pursuing that goal, while acknowledging that some things are easier when he is outside the title battle.

In 2025, Piastri was a title contender and ended the campaign third after a poor final third. After 20 races in 2026, he had yet to win and had two podium finishes. He was seventh in the standings, 96 points behind Lando Norris, the driver directly above him.

Sources 02
  1. SOURCEOscar Piastri issues 'missing the stress' revelation over muted McLaren campaignRacingNews365 English
  2. SOURCEMcLaren zet stap terug, Piastri stipt voordeel aanRacingNews365 Nederland