Source: Official Team Post via X
McLaren Probes Oscar Piastri's Slow Puncture at Singapore GP
McLaren is investigating an unusual slow puncture on Oscar Piastri's car during the Singapore Grand Prix, which ironically aided his late-race overtake of Lewis Hamilton. Team principal Andrea Stella highlights the need for collaboration with Pirelli to understand the issue.
Oscar Piastri's race at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix took an intriguing turn when a slow puncture was detected on his McLaren MCL40, prompting a quick pit-stop. Despite the setback, the incident perhaps played into Piastri's hands, allowing him to overtake Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the race.
Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, remarked on the unusual nature of the slow puncture, noting it was the first such instance this year. He emphasized the need for McLaren to work closely with Pirelli, the tyre supplier, to determine the cause. "The slow puncture, we don’t know yet the reason for that. So we will have to work with Pirelli," Stella stated. He acknowledged that while the puncture didn't cost Piastri much this time, it could be detrimental in a tighter race.
Piastri, reflecting on his race, saw a silver lining in the puncture. Originally set for a P6 finish, he managed to overtake Hamilton when the latter's one-stop strategy faltered. The Melbourne native, who finished fifth, noted, "Puncture was a bit of a shame. But ironically, I think it actually probably helped get Lewis at the end."
The race provided Piastri with a rare bit of mid-race excitement. "I felt like with how quickly I was catching, I would have been pretty disappointed myself if I didn’t get past," he commented on his battle with Hamilton. Piastri currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings with 138 points, setting his sights on the upcoming United States Grand Prix.