Despite his late-race mistake in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri remains unfazed. McLaren and Andrea Stella are confident he’ll bounce back stronger in Shanghai.
McLaren F1 had the pace to dominate in Melbourne, yet Oscar Piastri’s late-race off-track moment cost the team valuable points. While they could have secured a maximum of 43 points, Piastri’s ninth-place finish meant they walked away with only 27.
“It’s definitely a mixed feeling,” admitted team principal Andrea Stella. “Until that sudden rain hit in the final sector, both Oscar and Lando were executing a brilliant race. Unfortunately, Oscar ended up paying a higher price than Lando by going off track and being unable to recover.”
A Setback for Piastri?
Could this first major mistake of the season impact Piastri’s title chances or his mental resilience?
Stella isn’t concerned. In fact, he remains convinced that Piastri’s overall performance in Melbourne was outstanding.
“I truly believe Oscar deserved to fight for the win until the very last moment,” Stella said. “He drove exceptionally well. And when I say ‘drove,’ I don’t just mean handling the car on track—I mean assessing conditions, making the right decisions, and keeping a clear head.
“He was incredibly composed. He’s only in his third year in Formula 1, but he already carries himself like one of the most experienced drivers I’ve worked with.
“So yes, I was extremely impressed by Oscar—he was just a little unlucky.”
After the race, Stella reassured his driver:
“I told him that he’s going to experience big moments of satisfaction this season because he is fast, and the car is fast. Luck just wasn’t on his side this time.”
Stella also highlighted one of Piastri’s biggest strengths: his mental toughness.
“There’s no need for any psychological exercise to lift his spirits or to convince him not to be too hard on himself. He is one of the strongest-minded drivers I’ve ever met.
“I’m certain that in China, he’ll come back even stronger and that he’ll soon get the results he deserves.”
A Redemption Opportunity in Shanghai?
Piastri won’t have to wait long for a chance to bounce back. With the sprint format in play this weekend in Shanghai, he has a golden opportunity to turn the page—and perhaps even claim his first Grand Prix victory.
McLaren’s pace in Melbourne was no fluke, and Stella remains confident in both the car and his drivers.
“Yes, I was extremely impressed with the entire weekend, especially locking out the front row in qualifying,” he said.
However, Stella insists that McLaren’s strong performance isn’t just down to the car—it’s also a result of the healthy rivalry between Piastri and Norris.
“I already explained on Saturday how crucial it is for the drivers to push and support each other throughout the weekend.
“I believe some of the lap times and gaps we saw in qualifying were a direct result of that dynamic between them.
“If the car remains this competitive, big results are coming for Oscar—and they’re not far away.”
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Stella Backs Piastri: Melbourne Setback Won’t Derail McLaren Ace Stella Backs Piastri: Melbourne Setback Won’t Derail McLaren Ace
