McLaren ‘surprised’ themselves with Japan pace – Stella

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella reflected on a promising Japanese Grand Prix, where Oscar Piastri secured his first podium of the 2026 season with a second-place finish. Stella noted that the team was pleasantly surprised by their competitive pace at Suzuka, marking a significant recovery after a difficult start to the season hampered by technical issues. Piastri, who led the race early on after a stellar start from third, maintained a strong pace against George Russell. Despite a strategic disadvantage caused by a well-timed Safety Car that allowed Kimi Antonelli to take the win, Stella emphasized that the team is focusing on the positive momentum and Piastri’s impressive resilience following his challenging opening rounds.