Oscar Piastri admits McLaren struggles after British GP setback

Oscar Piastri conceded McLaren’s struggles after a disappointing British Grand Prix on 13 July 2026. The team finished 0.629 seconds off the pace, marking its second-worst performance of the season. Piastri and teammate Lando Norris have managed only four podiums in 15 starts, leaving McLaren 154 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings.

What went wrong at Silverstone?

McLaren’s home race proved its most challenging yet. Piastri described the team’s performance as 'not great,' admitting surprise at their pace deficit. The MCL39 lacked race speed, with Norris salvaging fourth in a chaotic grand prix. McLaren has the fewest top-10 finishes among frontrunners, and neither driver has qualified on the front row this season.

Why is McLaren struggling in 2026?

The team’s 2025 championship defense has been derailed by sweeping regulation changes. McLaren split resources between last year’s title push and preparing for 2026’s new rules. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, acknowledged the strain: 'We needed to keep working on the MCL39 to fend off Max Verstappen’s late charge.'

What’s next for Piastri and McLaren?

The next two races will be critical. McLaren must reverse its slide to stay competitive. Piastri remains hopeful, but the gap to Mercedes is stark. After leading the constructors’ standings last year, McLaren now fights just to keep pace with the top teams.