Oscar Piastri Admits McLaren Looked Silly After Canada Gamble

Oscar Piastri admitted McLaren was left looking "like idiots" after the team's decision to start the Canadian Grand Prix on intermediate tyres backfired dramatically. The strategic gamble played a major role in what became one of McLaren's most disappointing weekends of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Light rain before the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve created uncertainty over tyre choice on the grid. McLaren opted to fit intermediate tyres on both cars, a decision also taken by Audi, Cadillac and Carlos Sainz's Williams. Most of the leading teams, however, chose to start on slick tyres.

At the time the decision was made, the conditions appeared to justify the risk. Parts of the circuit remained damp and traction was limited. However, the rain stopped shortly before the formation laps began, allowing the track to dry rapidly and immediately favouring drivers on dry-weather tyres.

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Piastri quickly realised the strategy was not going to work. The Australian pitted at the end of the opening racing lap to switch from intermediates to medium tyres, dropping him deep into the midfield and compromising his race from the outset.

"It was raining, and between the anthem and getting in the car, it was pretty wet on the ground. There was definitely no standing water, but you could clearly tell where it was wet and where it was dry. Getting to the grid was not easy on slicks," Piastri explained.

"Unfortunately for us, it stopped raining as the formation lap started. If it had rained a little bit more, we would have looked like heroes, but it didn't, so we looked like idiots. It's just one of those things," he added.

McLaren's problems did not end there. As Piastri attempted to recover lost positions, he became involved in a collision with Alex Albon of Williams. The Australian locked his front tyres while attempting an overtake at the hairpin and made contact with Albon's car.

The incident forced Albon into retirement due to damage, while Piastri was required to pit again for a replacement front wing. He also received a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision, effectively ending any chance of a points finish.

"It was just so difficult out there. I felt like I was going into the corner pretty carefully, but I locked the front and that was it. It was not my finest moment. Apologies to Alex and Williams because it was unnecessary damage for both of us, especially for them," Piastri said.

Piastri eventually finished 11th and outside the points, while team-mate Lando Norris retired with a mechanical issue. The result made the Canadian Grand Prix one of McLaren's most damaging weekends of the season and further strengthened Mercedes' position at the top of the constructors' championship.