Oscar Piastri spots 'quite interesting' F1 trend which could topple Mercedes

Oscar Piastri believes the Mercedes F1 trend of slow starts at grands prix is "quite interesting" and provides an opportunity for his McLaren and the Ferrari teams.

At each of the four starts thus far in 2026, including the Chinese GP Sprint, Mercedes has locked out the front row, but fallen back on each occasion.

In Australia, Charles Leclerc roared into the lead, with Lewis Hamilton doing so in both China starts before Piastri himself passed both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to lead at Suzuka. 

In every case, the superior race pace of the Mercedes W17 has ensured that the team took victory in the grands prix and the Sprint, although Antonelli's Japan win was aided by the timely safety car, just after Piastri and Russell had already pitted.

However, whilst he accepts that Mercedes is ahead, Piastri does not believe there is any "magic" reason why this is so, as he highlighted the issue of the botched Mercedes starts.

"There is nothing magical about anything; they just have more downforce, are using the power unit better than us at the moment, and it is as simple as that," Piastri told media, including RacingNews365.

"There is no magic, and even when you're sitting in the race car, [the Mercedes] disappears pretty quickly, but the most helpful tool is definitely looking at the data, and we are losing a bit everywhere.

"There is not really one area where we're weak or where we are strong; it is just across the board, so I think finding more downforce is the main opportunity.

"The Ferrari is interesting as well because it almost looks like they are better in the corners, but may be worse on the power unit or with drag, but China was interesting in the way they've been able to battle Mercedes.

"They've got a clear advantage on everybody, but the way that Ferrari was able to battle and contend with them at the start of races, especially, is quite interesting to see, so there is inspiration in more than just one place."