Andrea Stella reveals reason behind Oscar Piastri’s Austin issues and urges McLaren to stay sharp. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explained the reasons behind Oscar Piastri’s struggles.

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella shed light on the problems faced by the team during the 2025 United States Grand Prix and discussed how the internal battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be managed in the final races of the season. Something seems to have changed in recent weeks — McLaren is no longer as dominant as it was during the summer, and the race in Austin confirmed it. The British team, led by Stella, showed signs of weakness that must be addressed quickly.

While Norris managed to hold on to a podium finish after an intense duel with Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri’s weekend was far more challenging. The Australian driver, who has seen his points advantage over his title rivals shrink, crossed the line only in fifth place. It was a difficult weekend for car number 81, who will need to turn things around immediately if he wants to stay in the championship fight.

Stella explains McLaren’s performance issues

Andrea Stella offered a clear explanation after the race in Texas. “These were quite particular conditions,” the Italian team principal said. “The combination of strong winds and very high temperatures made the car slide, and you need to find grip under those circumstances. This is something that doesn’t naturally suit Oscar’s driving style. He will definitely work on it and, as always, learn very quickly. Overall, we are not worried — the car’s performance gives us confidence.”

Andrea Stella then commented on the ongoing championship battle. “I see the championship as I did before Baku, when I said it would be a three-way fight. We’ve talked about it internally, and we know we still control our own destiny. We just need to do a good job, both with the drivers and as a team. There are still circuits coming up where our strengths will be highlighted,” he added.

With the fight for the world title tightening and the field getting closer, McLaren now faces a crucial phase of the season. Consistency, teamwork, and adaptability will be key if the team wants to return to the dominant form it showed earlier in the year.