Piastri’s 2026 campaign has been a stark contrast to the impressive form shown by his teammate, Lando Norris. While Norris recently secured pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix and has emerged as a genuine championship contender, Piastri could only manage an eighth-place finish in Barcelona.
Key Highlights
- Piastri sits seventh with 120 points, trailing Lando Norris, who is fourth with 186 points.
- Palmer says Piastri is “capitulating this season” and has largely operated as a “second driver” to Norris.
- Piastri’s driving style may not suit the current McLaren, with Palmer noting he is “not as comfortable sliding the car around as Lando.”
- With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaching, Piastri faces calls for a “reset” to rediscover his form and consistency.
The Alarming Gap to Norris
The gap is also clear in the standings, with Norris sitting fourth on 186 points, well ahead of Piastri, who is seventh with 120 points. Palmer did not mince words on the F1 Nation podcast, saying Piastri is “capitulating this season” and is “grateful that McLaren is not in the championship fight” because of his struggles.
A Champion’s Pedigree Under Pressure
The Australian’s junior career, including F3 and F2 championships, created huge expectations when he arrived in Formula 1. Last year, a blistering half-season of performances fueled hopes that he could emulate or even surpass Australian F1 legends such as Mark Webber.
However, Palmer has taken a critical look at Piastri’s wider F1 career. He argues that outside that standout period, Piastri has largely operated as a “second driver” to Norris, without the consistent, champion-level performances expected from a driver with such an accomplished junior record.
Searching for Consistency and Comfort
Palmer’s analysis points to a potential mismatch between Piastri’s driving style and the current McLaren machinery. He suggests that Piastri is “not as comfortable sliding the car around as Lando,” highlighting a key difference in how the two teammates approach the demands of F1.
Furthermore, while last year’s car may have initially suited him, its limitations — particularly on low-grip circuits such as Austin and Mexico — exposed some of Piastri’s challenges. With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix looming, calls for a fundamental “reset” for Oscar Piastri are growing, with hopes that he can rediscover his form and regain the consistency that once made him a championship contender.
