Blog
Piastri Says Red Bull Took a Big Step Forward in 2026
123Helmets Editorial Team
Oscar Piastri says Red Bull have taken a big step forward in 2026, naming Max Verstappen’s team the most consistently competitive on the grid. The McLaren driver spoke to the media ahead of the United States Grand Prix and also praised Ferrari’s cornering speed.
Key Takeaways
Piastri says Red Bull took a pretty big step forward over the last triple header.
He credits the upgrades Red Bull brought to Baku, where they had a double podium.
Verstappen then won the next two races, according to Piastri.
Piastri says Ferrari are quickest or joint quickest in basically every corner but lose on the straights.
What Piastri said about Red Bull
Piastri says Red Bull made a significant step forward across the most recent three-race run. Speaking ahead of the United States Grand Prix, the Australian described Verstappen’s team as the most consistently competitive on the grid.
He pointed to the upgrades introduced in Baku as a key factor. In his account, Red Bull took a double podium there and then won the next two races with Verstappen.
Why the Baku upgrades matter
Piastri believes the Baku upgrade package was the turning point in Red Bull’s recent form. He called whatever Red Bull put on the car in Baku very strong.
His comments come from a driver whose own team is fighting at the front. McLaren sit third in the constructors’ standings after round 16 with 316 points, behind Mercedes on 556 and Ferrari on 405.
Ferrari strong in corners, weak on straights
Piastri says Ferrari are either joint quickest or outright quickest in basically every corner this season, but lose time on all the straights. He said he did not know whether that comes from drag or from power.
He added that Ferrari’s strength in Singapore was no surprise to McLaren, based on their data analysis. Ferrari are second in the constructors’ standings after round 16, with Lewis Hamilton on 214 points and Charles Leclerc on 191 in the drivers’ table.
What it means for McLaren
Piastri’s remarks suggest McLaren see both Red Bull and Ferrari as live threats in the closing rounds. He acknowledged that Ferrari have not always delivered the performances McLaren expected at circuits that looked to suit their car.
With Lando Norris fifth in the drivers’ standings on 188 points after round 16, McLaren are looking up at Mercedes, who lead both championships. The United States Grand Prix is the next stage where the picture can be tested.
“I think Red Bull definitely took a pretty big step forwards over the last triple header. I think whatever upgrades they put on their car in Baku were very strong. They had a double podium there and won the next two races with Max.”
— Oscar Piastri
“I think it wasn’t a surprise that Ferrari were very strong in Singapore. I think on the data analysis they’re always the quickest or, well, either joint quickest or outright quickest in basically every corner this year, but they lose on all the straights, whether that’s from drag, from power, I don’t know.”
— Oscar Piastri
Shop Oscar Piastri Collection
Display and collector replicas only. Not certified for protective use. Full-size 1:1 scale.
This article was written with the help of AI tools. Editorial policy
