Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has expressed frustration with his McLaren team after a strategic miscalculation at the Canadian Grand Prix left him finishing outside the points. The 25-year-old, who started from fourth on the grid, ended the race in 11th place, marking the first time this season he has failed to score points.
Strategic Error Proves Costly
With the track still damp from earlier rain, McLaren's strategists decided to send Piastri out on intermediate tyres. However, as the formation lap began, the rain stopped, leaving Piastri with insufficient grip. He made the call to pit at the end of lap one to switch to slick tyres, a move mirrored by eight of the other nine top-10 starters. This decision dropped him to the back of the field.
Piastri's troubles compounded when he collided with Williams driver Alex Albon on lap 13, earning a 10-second penalty. The incident forced Albon to retire, and Piastri had to pit again to replace his damaged front wing. Despite a late-race fightback, he could only recover to 11th place.
Piastri's Reaction
Speaking after the race, Piastri did not hold back his criticism. 'Unfortunately for us, it stopped raining as the formation lap started, basically. So, yeah, just one of those things where had it rained a little bit more, we would have looked like heroes. But it didn't, so we looked like idiots,' he said.
Other Drivers' Misfortunes
Six drivers failed to finish the race in Montreal. Mercedes' George Russell suffered a gearbox failure on lap 30, while Piastri's teammate Lando Norris retired on lap 40 due to a power unit issue.
Antonelli Dominates
Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli claimed his fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory, controlling the race from the front after Russell's retirement. He finished more than 10 seconds ahead of the field. Lewis Hamilton secured his best result for Ferrari with a second-place finish, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third, his first podium of the 2026 season.
