Piastri ‘confident’ Mercedes are beatable in 2026

Oscar Piastri has expressed confidence that Mercedes can be challenged this season after a strong performance at the Japanese Grand Prix. Although Mercedes has dominated early in 2026, Piastri managed to keep George Russell at bay for a significant portion of the race, signaling a potential shift in the competitive landscape. Despite the optimism, Piastri acknowledged that McLaren still faces a significant challenge, noting the 15-second gap to the race winner. However, given McLaren's proven track record of successful mid-season car development over the past two years, the team remains hopeful that they can bridge the performance deficit and mount a consistent challenge to the Silver Arrows as the season progresses.