RacingAfter missing the opening two Grands Prix of 2026, Oscar Piastri hit back at Suzuka with a clean, fast drive to second. The McLaren driver qualified third at the Suzuka Circuit, led at the start, and finished a close runner-up to give the team its first podium of the year.
The result followed a rough start to Piastri’s season. He did not start in Australia after an accident on the way to the grid. He then failed to take the start in China because of a mechanical problem on the grid. Two blank weekends left him with ground to make up and pressure to reset.
Suzuka marked that reset. Piastri showed strong pace in Q3 to line up on the second row. He launched well and grabbed the lead at the start, then set the pace in clean air. He was a real threat for the win until a Safety Car period changed the order. The timing handed track position away, and Piastri had to rebuild his race. He chased to the flag and ended less than a car length behind the winner.
Team principal Andrea Stella pointed to maturity and focus as the difference. He said Piastri’s reaction to the two early DNS showed mental strength and resilience. The performance, Stella added, lifted the mood in the garage and gave staff a result to rally around after a difficult opening phase.
Inside McLaren, there is a sense this is Piastri’s best form since he joined Formula 1. Stella said the driver’s calm approach in pressure moments is now matching his outright speed. He also stressed that the team must give both Piastri and Lando Norris a car that can fight for wins on merit. The aim is to turn days like Suzuka into a habit, not a one-off.
The wider picture in Japan also gave McLaren new targets. Stella admitted the team was surprised by how well the car stacked up against Mercedes at Suzuka. Straight-line speed and balance through the fast sections kept McLaren in the fight on a track that shows a car’s true range. That readout has shaped the next steps at the factory.
Stella said planned chassis improvements and updates are coming for the next rounds. The team wants to hold the Suzuka level across different circuits and conditions. Piastri’s podium set the tone. McLaren now looks to back it up with steady development and give both drivers the tools to race at the front.