McLaren left the Japanese Grand Prix with renewed confidence after a strong performance that saw Oscar Piastri claim a podium finish. After a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Woking-based team appears to be rediscovering its competitiveness, raising the question of whether this could mark the beginning of a sustained comeback toward the front of the grid.
The idea of “surprise” surrounding McLaren’s pace is not entirely new. While George Russell recently used the term when commenting on free practice in Japan, it also recalls statements made in previous years by team principal Andrea Stella, who once admitted, half-jokingly, that the team was fast without fully understanding why. That moment, in hindsight, marked the beginning of McLaren’s rapid rise back toward the top positions, eventually leading to major successes, including two constructors’ championships and a drivers’ title.
Strong performance, but mainly thanks to Piastri
There were several positives for McLaren during the Suzuka weekend, especially when compared to the previous two Grands Prix. Simply managing to start the race on Sunday with both cars was already a step forward, something that had not been achieved in China. Moreover, both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris reached the checkered flag, which represents an important milestone as the team looks to rebuild momentum.
As often happens in Formula 1, progress is built through small but consistent steps, and McLaren seems to be putting these pieces together. Andrea Stella highlighted this improvement after the race: “We were in a position to start with two cars, which hadn’t happened this year, and we were able to complete the race. I think today we confirmed the progress seen in qualifying, progress that allowed Oscar to take the lead after a very good start. We were surprised ourselves, especially at the end of the first stint, where not only did we manage to keep Russell behind us, but we also increased the gap.”
Piastri finally delivers in race conditions
For Oscar Piastri, the Japanese Grand Prix marked a turning point. After a challenging start to the season, the Australian driver finally completed a full race and converted his potential into a strong podium finish, boosting both his confidence and that of the team.
Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of this result: “I think there are many positives for Oscar himself. He has driven very well at the start of the season. It’s a shame he didn’t have the opportunity to show it. Today he had that opportunity and he took it.”
Indeed, Oscar Piastri was the only McLaren driver able to consistently challenge the front-runners. He quickly found the right feeling with the car and applied pressure on those fighting for the top positions, at least until the Safety Car intervention reshaped the race dynamics.
The key question: what without the Safety Car?
One of the main talking points after the race was how the outcome might have differed without the Safety Car. Andrea Stella reflected on this uncertainty: “We will never know whether it would have been possible [to win] or not. I think it could have been achievable against Russell, because we saw that he struggled even to overtake Ferrari. However, I believe McLaren and Ferrari had similar pace.”
This raises an intriguing possibility: could Oscar Piastri have realistically fought for victory against the leading teams? According to Andrea Stella, one driver stood out above the rest: “Antonelli had a faster pace than anyone else. So I think at some point he would have been in the fight for the win. We won’t know if Oscar could have won the race or not. In the end, it doesn’t make a big difference. I think we should focus on the positives.”
Japan as a springboard toward Miami
Ultimately, McLaren leaves Japan, alongside Mercedes, as one of the few teams with a clear sense of progress and direction. The upcoming break in the calendar could prove beneficial for a team that has consistently demonstrated strong internal cohesion and effective leadership under Andrea Stella.
The Woking squad appears united, with a structure capable of supporting both drivers and engineers, creating an environment that fosters continuous improvement. From an external perspective, McLaren seems to have all the ingredients required to return to the front row, a position it has frequently occupied in recent times.
If this trajectory continues, McLaren could soon rejoin the fight at the very top, adding further excitement to a 2026 Formula 1 season that promises intense competition among multiple teams battling for victory.
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