Piastri wants answers to 'bigger question' at Monza

Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Oscar Piastri admitted he is facing a 'bigger question' regarding his adaptation to the new generation of cars introduced in the 2026 season. The Australian McLaren driver has had a difficult year since the new technical regulations took effect, failing to match teammate Lando Norris – the reigning world champion who has won the last two races in Hungary and Zandvoort. At Zandvoort, Piastri finished 32 seconds behind the winner, despite qualifying very closely. The gap between qualifying pace and race pace is a clear sign of tire management issues and the ability to sustain performance over a race distance. Piastri said: 'The issue is never the same every weekend, it's always slightly different. That's why I need answers to a bigger question.' The 2026 regulations include a new chassis, smaller tires, and active aerodynamics, completely changing how the cars behave. Piastri acknowledged that adapting to the new car concept and different tires is the biggest challenge. 'Some things we can fix quickly, some things we can't. The only way is to try stuff on track,' he said. Monza, with its high-speed layout and low tire degradation, could be an opportunity for Piastri to test the tire hypothesis. If he performs well, it's a positive signal; if not, the problem runs deeper. The pressure is on Piastri, whose last win was in the Netherlands a year ago, while Norris leads the championship fight. McLaren currently tops the constructors' standings, but relying on a single driver is a major risk. Piastri needs to regain form quickly if the team wants to hold its position against rivals. This weekend at Monza, everyone will be watching to see if the 'bigger question' gets answered.