Oscar Piastri actually has a very simple goal for the race weekend in Japan. After two retirements in two Grand Prix races, the Australian simply hopes to be able to start the race at Suzuka. Piastri competed with his teammate last year for the world title, but has not been able to complete a race lap so far. Yet the McLaren driver is at peace with his bad luck during the season openers: ‘There’s no point in getting upset about it or being sad about it’.
Read more PHOTO SERIES | Impressive costumes and already a race between Ocon and Antonelli at Suzuka
After two Grand Prix weekends in 2026, Oscar Piastri has not completed a single race lap. The Australian was unable to start both his home race – due to a crash in the practice sessions – and the Chinese GP – due to power unit problems. The McLaren driver therefore has just one clear goal for the Japanese GP.
Piastri was asked by the media in Japan whether one of his missions this race weekend is simply to start. “That would be very nice, yes,” the driver laughed. “It’s clearly not been the best start to the year, but we’re going to try to achieve a breakthrough this week at least and build from there. We more or less know where we stand in the pecking order, so we don’t expect too many surprises on that front. It would be nice if we could just have a solid weekend.”
Read more Column Tom Coronel: ‘Japanese will keep going until they have won’
‘Not everything goes as you hope’
The Australian driver has been able to put the disappointing series of missed race starts behind him. “There wasn’t really any anger,” he admitted. “At the first DNS, yes, there was probably some anger, disbelief and disappointment. But after China it’s just the way it is – not everything goes as you hope, and there’s no point in getting upset about it or being sad about it. I think unfortunately you can’t change anything, so the only thing you can do is just focus on what’s next and concentrate on how you can learn as much as possible in that situation.”
For Piastri in Japan, therefore, not much needs to happen to make the weekend a success. “It would probably help if I could just start the race!” the driver jokes. “I haven’t had a chance to show what I can do in the race yet. I think it’s clear that we’re behind Mercedes and Ferrari, so the only thing I can do is just do my best and show what I can do on track.”
Read more Result VT1 GP Japan: Fastest time George Russell
Read everything about the Japanese GP here
