Piastri Warns McLaren Upgrades Won't Close Mercedes Gap

Oscar Piastri has cast doubt on McLaren's latest performance upgrades ahead of this weekend, suggesting they will be insufficient to challenge Mercedes' current advantage.

Friday, 01 May 2026 Miami Grand Prix Round 4

Miami Upgrade Package Falls Short

Oscar Piastri has delivered a sobering assessment of McLaren's new upgrades ahead of the Miami round. According to RacingNews365, Piastri warned that the upgrades will not be enough to challenge Mercedes' competitive advantage this weekend.

The verdict comes as Mercedes appears to be monitoring Piastri's comments closely, with RacingNews365 noting that the German outfit will be pleased with the McLaren driver's frank acknowledgment of the performance gap.

Broader Context: McLaren's 2025 Form

This assessment arrives against the backdrop of McLaren's strong 2025 campaign, which saw the team dominate much of the season. Motorsport.com reported that the drivers' championship became a fierce battle between Piastri and his team-mate Lando Norris, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen joining the fight in the latter part of the year.

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Despite the intensity of that title fight, Piastri has insisted the relationship with Norris never turned 'nasty', according to Motorsport.com, with the two drivers maintaining professionalism throughout their tense championship battle.

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