F1 | McLaren optimism grows with the MCL40, but Oscar Piastri sees other teams as favorites. Oscar Piastri shares his thoughts on McLaren’s MCL40 after the Bahrain F1 tests..

Oscar Piastri shared his impressions of the MCL40 following the F1 tests in Bahrain. The 2026 season is set to begin in just two weeks with the Australian Grand Prix, and among the top teams, hierarchies are still unclear. Each team seems to be playing its own game, keeping attention on their rivals. After driving the 2026 car in Bahrain, Piastri confirmed McLaren’s positive progress, while emphasizing that the team does not yet feel at the top.

McLaren’s start as a defending champion

The British team enters the new season as the reigning champion, but that alone will not guarantee competitiveness. In these first outings with the 2026 car, a solid race pace was observed, yet it is still impossible to establish clear rankings. Everyone agrees that the benchmark teams will remain the usual four: Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.

Piastri shows optimism about the MCL40

Speaking at the test press conference, Oscar Piastri addressed McLaren’s current situation. Although the team does not see itself as leading the field, positive signs are increasing ahead of Melbourne. The early days on track included some issues with the car, but the situation now appears to have improved.

“I think we are probably becoming a bit more optimistic. I think we have some good ideas and some positive indications, especially with such a radical change in regulations: you try a lot of negative things along with the positive ones,” he told the media, including F1inGenerale.

The Australian also maintained a low profile regarding the team’s position: “I wouldn’t say we are the best, not even close, but I think we’re not that bad either,” he added.

A new challenge for drivers with the 2026 cars

Oscar also highlighted the new responsibilities drivers have with the 2026 cars: “There are still some things we have to do as drivers that are definitely very different from what we had to do last year.”

Teams are adapting to the new driving style required by the 2026 regulations. Drivers will need to manage the battery more closely, and engineers will play a key role in providing the correct procedures to ensure the most efficient driving possible.

The 2026 Formula 1 pre-season has shown that McLaren has built a platform capable of challenging at the front, regardless of the strategic games played by their rivals. While the team remains cautious, the data suggests that the MCL40 is a significant step forward, promising a much more competitive start to the championship than in previous years.