Oscar Piastri makes striking McLaren call despite being 'under no illusions'

Oscar Piastri has backed McLaren to transform its F1 season in the way it has done in recent years, despite being "under no illusions" that the MCL40 currently lacks performance compared to rival cars.

The Australian highlighted the Woking-based team's turnaround in fortunes in 2023 as the blueprint to follow, when he and Lando Norris were suddenly able to compete for podiums after an underwhelming start to the campaign.

A similar trajectory the following year helped earn the McLaren team-mates their first victories in F1 and catapulted the latter into championship contention.

Although ultimately unable to reel in Max Verstappen, the dominant MCL39 provided a dominant platform for Piastri and Norris to launch title charges in 2025, with the Briton coming out on top in a three-way showdown at the season finale in Abu Dhabi against the aforementioned Red Bull driver.

With Norris and McLaren defending both of F1's crowns, the current campaign also got off on the wrong foot for the papaya team.

Mercedes and Ferrari stole a march on the 10-time constructors' champions, and it was not until the most recent round before the summer break, the Hungarian Grand Prix, that Piastri and Norris were back in contention for victory.

"We're very conscious and aware of where we sit," the former said. "We're under no illusions that we're lacking some performance, and we really want to chase it.

"We've got good ideas on how we can do it. And I think everybody's hungry to get back to where we have been and taste that success again."

Piastri retired at the Hungaroring whilst Norris went on to claim that previously elusive win, on the back of a comprehensive upgrade package that addressed multiple key areas.

And regardless of his disappointment in Budapest, the 25-year-old has faith that he will get his opportunities, so long as McLaren can replicate its proven track record.

"The past seasons do give me confidence," he added. "When you look at the previous experience of what we've been able to achieve as a team, and how we've been able to make progress through the year, it’s good.

"In 2023, we were in a much worse position than where we are now, and we were able to really jump up the order to fight for podiums."

Despite his team-mate now being a champion, and having endured a title fight against one another, Piastri insists their relationship and ways of working remain as robust as ever.

"The way Lando and I worked together then to try and focus on making the car quick so we could then fight for the results that we wanted hasn’t changed," he explained. "It’s still strong, productive conversations together with the team all pushing for the same goal."

To Piastri, it is now a case of McLaren recreating its pattern of behaviour to further cut the performance deficit to Mercedes and Ferrari, which are 159 and 87 points ahead in the standings, respectively.

"I feel like for me, I've already seen it play out more than once. I think that's a real strength of the team," the nine-time grand prix winner stated.

"Yes, things are different, the cars are different, maybe the way we will make that step will look different. But we've made that step before, and I'm confident we can do it again."