Oscar Piastri faced an unexpected challenge during the qualifying session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, as he was eliminated in Q2 and ended up starting 13th on the grid. The McLaren driver described his exit as “bizarre,” highlighting difficulties that caught both him and the team off guard.
After showing strong pace in Q1, where he was the fourth fastest, Piastri struggled to replicate that performance in the next phase. He aborted a late flying lap in Q2 and was unable to improve on his subsequent attempt. The main issue, according to Piastri, was a sudden lack of rear grip on the fresh set of tyres used in Q2, which resulted in a noticeably different car balance compared to earlier runs.
This unexpected change in handling left Piastri uncertain about the root cause of the problem. He admitted he was “not sure what happened,” underlining the unusual nature of the situation. Meanwhile, his McLaren teammate Lando Norris topped the Q2 timesheet and secured a starting position of sixth, showing a contrasting performance within the team.
Since the start of the 2026 season, Piastri has not yet secured a race victory and has been off the podium since the Miami Grand Prix in May. Despite these challenges, McLaren remains competitive in the Teams’ Championship, currently tied for third place alongside Red Bull. Piastri’s focus for the Mexico City race is to recover positions and score valuable points while trying to understand the qualifying setback.
The precise technical reasons behind the loss of rear grip and the altered car balance in Q2 have not been disclosed by the team or driver. Piastri’s comments reflect a genuine uncertainty about the issue, emphasizing how small changes in tyre behaviour or setup can significantly impact performance in qualifying.
McLaren’s contrasting fortunes between its two drivers in Mexico City underline the complexities teams face in adapting to the evolving conditions and regulations of the 2026 season. While Norris managed to extract the maximum from the car during qualifying, Piastri’s experience serves as a reminder of the fine margins that define success in Formula 1®.
As the race unfolds, Piastri aims to make progress through the field and gather data to address the unusual handling characteristics encountered. His reflections after qualifying highlight the ongoing challenges drivers and teams face in adapting to the dynamic nature of tyre performance and car balance in the current Formula 1® era.