Oscar Piastri 'force' to be unleashed in Lando Norris McLaren rematch

Anthony Davidson believes Oscar Piastri will unleash his "force" in the new 'F2-style' F1 cars in his rematch against McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in 2026.

The two engaged in a season-long battle for the world championship in 2025, with Piastri leading for 15 rounds, but a late stumble allowed Norris to sneak in and steal the title away from his team-mate, who ultimately finished third behind the Briton and also Max Verstappen. 

With the overhaul of the regulations for the new season, Norris described the new machines as feeling more akin to F2 machinery, a category Piastri dominated on his way to victory in 2021 with six wins. 

Former F1 driver, 2014 WEC champion and current Sky Sports F1 pundit Davidson believes this could make Piastri - a "force to be reckoned with" in F2 in his rematch against Norris in the coming season.

"I certainly don't doubt what Oscar is capable of, and immediately in Bahrain [testing], he looked strong again, the race runs were great," Davidson exclusively told RacingNews365. 

"He is a level-headed character, and he has just carried on like he always has. He is a very matter-of-fact guy, and like everyone, is still trying to get his head around the regulations and how to get the most out of them.

"He was a cracking driver in F2, as was Lando, but Oscar in F2 was a force to be reckoned with, and maybe these cars, Lando said, feel more like an F2 car.

"That could be great news for Oscar Piastri, so let's wait and see. 

"I'm sure they'll be running each other hard again, and for me, they're the strongest driver line-up on the grid; that's why they wrapped up the constructors' title so early last year."

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