Martin Brundle believes Oscar Piastri will come again with a vengeance in 2026 after lacking out on the 2025 drivers’ championship title to his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.
For almost all of the season, Piastri and Norris battled it out on the entrance of the grid, and the Australian driver had six grand prix wins over Norris’s 5 earlier than heading into the summer season break. However a powerful comeback from Norris and a late surge from Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen within the second half of the season resulted in Norris claiming his first drivers’ title. Verstappen overtook Piastri for second within the standings.
As Piastri prepares for his fourth season within the championship, which may also introduce a brand new set of rules, Brundle believes the frustration of 2025 will drive the 24-year-old in 2026.
“I believe he’ll come again with a vengeance, to be sincere,” Brundle advised Sky Sports activities F1. “It was partly painful, partly good for him final 12 months. He realized lots. I believe that it’s brazenly accepted that on the actually low-grip circuits, he’s not getting the very best out of the automotive and out of the tyre, so he is aware of he’s obtained to repair that.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
“However among the victories he’s had have been so dominant, so spectacular. I believe he’ll take lots from that. I’m certain it was painful in the long run for him and I believe that will probably be a driver [for him this season].
“We’ve noticed him. He’s an extremely shiny lad and he’s clearly aggressive. He’s a employee. I believe he’ll come again having made a giant step ahead.”
McLaren will unveil its 2026 Formulation 1 livery throughout a launch occasion on Monday 9 February earlier than Bahrain testing, which can run from 11 to 13 February and 18 to twenty February. The season will then formally begin with the Australian Grand Prix from 6 to eight March.
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