Piastri: McLaren not yet back to best level, but ‘getting there’

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Momentum is beginning to build again at McLaren, but Oscar Piastri is keeping expectations grounded as the team looks ahead to the next phase of the season.

After a difficult start to the year, the papaya squad showed renewed promise across recent rounds, culminating in a strong Miami Grand Prix weekend where both cars joined Kimi Antonelli on the podium.

Still, for Piastri, the bigger picture remains a work in progress.

“I think yes,” he said when asked if McLaren can consistently challenge Mercedes.

“We’ll obviously have to wait and see what Mercedes bring, because they didn’t bring much this weekend and were still - in qualifying and the main race - probably the same, if not a tiny bit quicker, over one lap.

“We’re certainly not quite back in the position we were last year, but we’re getting there. With more to come, it’s a good place to be.”

McLaren’s resurgence hasn’t happened overnight. Early struggles in Australia and China raised questions, but steady improvements – highlighted by Piastri’s podium in Japan – have begun to shift the narrative.

In Miami, those gains became more tangible. The team introduced a significant upgrade package, and the results followed.

Lando Norris delivered a standout Sprint performance, securing victory and leading a McLaren one-two – an outcome that caught even the team by surprise.

Yet despite the encouraging trajectory, Piastri is cautious about drawing firm conclusions too early.

Eyes on the bigger picture

With further upgrades planned and rivals set to respond, McLaren’s true standing may only become clear over the coming races.

“We kind of need to see where we stack up at a few different tracks,” Piastri explained.

“I think especially in the Sprint side of this weekend, to have a one-two in the Sprint on pure pace, that was a pretty big surprise for us. So, things are working well.

“We expected the upgrades to be a good step forward and they have been, and hopefully they are again in Canada.

“But obviously Mercedes didn’t bring a lot this weekend and they also have an upgrade package for Canada, so we’ll have to wait and see how much that’s worth for them.”

For now, McLaren’s trajectory points upward – but the destination remains uncertain. As Piastri sees it, the team is edging closer to its former peak, not quite there yet, but firmly on the right road.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.