P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri hints McLaren trouble with Mercedes power unit
During the 2026 Barcelona shakedown, F1 star Oscar Piastri hinted at McLaren facing unexpected issues with their Mercedes power unit.
Between January 26 and January 30, all 11 teams were given five days to test their new machinery on track, each team allowed a maximum of three days.
Ahead of the 2026 championship, drivers and teams will have triple the pre-season testing rounds compared to last year, offering more time to adapt to the updated regulations.
McLaren faced challenges during testing but managed to complete 291 laps with Piastri and Norris before facing a fuel systems issue.
While Mercedes showcased impressive reliability, Piastri expressed the need for better understanding of the new McLaren power unit and its performance.
The 2026 F1 season kicks off in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, with pre-season testing in Bahrain scheduled from February 11 to 13 and February 18 to 20.
