Piastri says McLaren’s pace is near the front‑runners but new regs add quirks

McLaren topped FP2 in Melbourne, but Oscar Piastri says the team is still a step behind Mercedes and Ferrari and must master new‑regulation quirks to close the gap.

Why it matters:

• The Australian GP is the first race under the 2026 power‑unit and battery‑usage rules. How quickly teams adapt will shape the championship battle.
• McLaren’s ability to extract consistent lap time could turn a solid midfield showing into a regular podium challenge.

The details:

• Current pace – Piastri posted the fastest time (1:19.729), 0.2 s ahead of Kimi Antonelli and 0.3 s clear of the nearest Ferrari. He believes the car is “around the same pace” as the front‑runners when it operates in its optimal window.
• Performance gap – The driver admits McLaren is “a little step behind” Mercedes and Ferrari in long‑run speed, but remains optimistic that fine‑tuning could narrow the deficit.
• Regulation quirks – New rules on battery management and clean‑air acquisition have forced drivers to launch laps halfway down the pit straight, making it hard to gauge traffic and tyre temperatures.
• Uncertainty factor – Piastri warned that practice sessions are “off‑sequence” with other teams, so data is scarce and the true impact of the regulations won’t be clear until qualifying.
• Optimism for the weekend – Despite the challenges, he expects teams to “find a lot overnight” as they settle the new operating envelope.

What's next:

• Qualifying – McLaren will need to balance battery usage with a clean‑air run, likely experimenting with earlier launch points.
• Race strategy – Managing energy flow under the 2026 rules will be crucial; any misstep could cost positions on the long straights.
• Season outlook – If McLaren can consistently hit the 100 % window Piastri describes, they could become regular front‑row contenders, turning Melbourne’s FP2 win into a springboard for the rest of the year.