Oscar Piastri has explained his decision to keep rejecting McLaren’s front suspension upgrade, even though teammate Lando Norris has adopted it. The new suspension was introduced for the Canadian Grand Prix and has been used exclusively by Norris during races in Canada and Austria, highlighting the ongoing choice between the two drivers.
McLaren’s revised front suspension does not necessarily deliver a direct performance increase but is believed to enhance Norris’ confidence when driving. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Norris outqualified and eventually outperformed Piastri after the latter made a mistake in the final qualifying session. On race day at the Red Bull Ring, both drivers were matched closely, yet Norris secured the win.
Ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Piastri shared his thoughts on why he has opted not to implement the suspension update.
“I’ve not used it ever yet,”
Piastri said in a media session at Silverstone.
He elaborated that the upgrade felt more like a change than an improvement for him. While it could enhance certain aspects of the car, it also introduced drawbacks in others. He added that if the modification was purely beneficial, he would have adopted it without hesitation.
Piastri continued, emphasizing that he has not experienced difficulty with the car’s current handling and prefers to maintain stability. Instead, he focuses on optimizing the existing setup and other developments rather than altering the suspension.
“The year’s been going pretty well, so I’m more keen to just keep the car consistent and worry about how we get the most out of the set-up and the other upgrades we actually have than this change to the suspension.”
Piastri’s Affection for Silverstone Circuit
Looking ahead to the British Grand Prix, Piastri hopes to secure his first career win or podium finish at Silverstone, a venue he holds in high regard. The 24-year-old expressed enthusiasm for the circuit, ranking it among his favorites annually.
“I think for me, Silverstone is easily one of my favourite tracks of the year,”
he remarked.
Although Spa-Francorchamps remains his top choice, Silverstone closely follows. Piastri recalled the personal memories he has at the track, having raced there numerous times in different categories over his career.
He noted that in his formative days competing in Formula 4, he was familiar with only the national circuit section, equating to about four corners, while the full Silverstone layout comprises 19 turns. Despite some sections being less familiar, he has enjoyed success and fond racing experiences at the British venue.
“So yeah, it’s always nice coming back here.”
The Broader Implications for McLaren’s Development Strategy
Piastri’s reluctance to switch to the new suspension underscores the challenges teams face balancing innovation with driver preferences. While Norris benefits from the update, Piastri prioritizes consistency and a stable setup to maximize overall performance.
This approach indicates McLaren’s flexibility in accommodating individual driver needs as the team continues to develop its car this season. The differing responses to the suspension upgrade could influence future setups and upgrades ahead of key races.
As the season progresses, how McLaren manages these divergent preferences will likely play a role in its competitiveness within the midfield battle. Both drivers remain closely matched, and decisions such as these could provide marginal gains that impact race outcomes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. “Did charles leclerc adopt oscar piastri? that answer also changed a few weeks ago, and yes, i did. he’s one of my sons now.”
A. Was Oscar Piastri legally adopted by Charles?
Q. How did Lily Zneimer and Oscar Piastri meet?
A. They first crossed paths at a boarding school called Haileybury. During their second-to-last school year, Piastri and Zneimer started dating. “We’ve been together ever since,” Piastri mentioned on the Eff Won podcast in 2023, noting they had been in a relationship for over four years by then.
Q. Did Charles Leclerc adopt Oscar Piastri?
A. Racing News | Last year, the Leclerc family jokingly “adopted” Oscar Piastri, which his mother didn’t take seriously, causing some laughter. #f1 #formula1 #f12025 #motorsport… Instagram.
Q. What is Oscar Piastri’s salary?
A. Oscar Piastri, a Formula 1 driver from Melbourne, describes himself as naturally calm and collected. At 23 years old, he spoke to The Australian Financial Review shortly after securing a new deal. This contract keeps him with McLaren until 2028 and is said to be valued at about £20 million ($41 million) annually.
