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Oscar Piastri exposes shocking McLaren MCL40 flaws after intense Barcelona shakedown test

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 2, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Oscar Piastri exposes shocking McLaren MCL40 flaws after intense Barcelona shakedown test

Title: McLaren’s MCL40 Faces Crucial Challenges: Piastri Unveils Key Insights from Barcelona Shakedown!

In a dramatic turn of events during the thrilling 2026 Formula 1 Barcelona shakedown, Oscar Piastri has peeled back the curtain on the McLaren MCL40, shedding light on its “problems and limitations.” After three days of intense testing, where nearly all teams were present, McLaren emerged with a wealth of information that could prove pivotal as they gear up for the official pre-season testing in Bahrain.

With almost 300 laps clocked, the McLaren team, led by reigning World Champion Lando Norris, faced a setback as Piastri encountered a critical fuel system issue that curtailed his track time to just 48 laps. Despite this, McLaren’s technical director of performance, Mark Temple, expressed determination, stating, “We discovered a fuel system problem, which meant we haven’t been able to do all the running we would like. The car is very complex, so we decided to bring the car back into the garage and strip it down to fully understand where the problem is coming from.”

Norris managed to secure 76 laps before handing over the reins, ultimately putting McLaren in a respectable position with a combined total of 291 laps. Norris also achieved the third-fastest time on the sheets, with a commendable lap of 1:16.594, just two-tenths shy of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Piastri trailed by 1.1 seconds. Nevertheless, the Australian rookie remains optimistic, stating, “I feel like I got into a pretty good rhythm and was able to start to feel what the car is actually like, which was nice.”

The shakedown has unveiled a host of challenges that McLaren must tackle head-on, especially as they transition to an all-new vehicle design for 2026, abandoning the previous ground-effect aerodynamic style for a more traditional overbody approach. This shift means shorter, lighter cars with active aerodynamics, which pose a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the team.

Piastri highlighted the learning curve ahead, particularly in mastering the intricacies of the power unit, stating, “Still definitely a lot to learn, especially on the power unit side of things. Just how you get the most of it and how you go the fastest, basically.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration with Mercedes HPP, noting that any insights shared between himself, Norris, and the power unit engineers could significantly enhance performance.

As the team prepares for the upcoming Bahrain test on February 11, the urgency to address these “problems and limitations” has never been greater. The stakes are high as McLaren aims not only to catch up with their rivals but also to reclaim their status as a formidable force in Formula 1. With Piastri’s revelations, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the team digs deep to resolve these issues and unleash the full potential of the MCL40.

Will McLaren rise to the occasion, or will these early hiccups derail their ambitions? One thing is for certain: the road ahead is fraught with challenges, but it is also paved with immense potential. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates from the F1 paddock!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipLando NorrisLewis HamiltonOscar Piastri
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