Oscar Piastri Puzzled by Unexpected Q2 Exit in Mexico City GP Qualifying

Oscar Piastri will be starting the Mexico City Grand Prix from 13th on the grid after a qualifying session that left him scratching his head. The McLaren driver, who had shown promising pace by finishing fourth in the initial round of qualifying at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, was unable to carry that momentum into Q2. His performance took a puzzling turn, leaving him with only the 13th fastest time.

The Australian driver found himself at a loss to explain the sudden drop in pace, having aborted a late attempt and failing to improve on his subsequent lap. Over the team radio, Piastri lamented the lack of rear grip from the tyres, a sentiment he echoed after the session. "No idea," he admitted. "The new set of tyres we put on in Q2 just had no grip."

Reflecting on the session, Piastri described his exit as "very bizarre," noting, "The balance was completely different somehow. I don't really know what happened, but I'm sure we'll have a look."

It's been a challenging season for Piastri, who hasn't seen the podium since Miami in May and has struggled to adapt to the new 2026 regulations. Despite these hurdles, McLaren remains in a tight battle for third in the Constructors' Championship, tied with Red Bull.

Looking ahead to the race, Piastri's focus is on damage control. "Now it's just about trying to make up as many spots as I can and get into the points," he said, acknowledging the need to first understand what went wrong in qualifying.

Piastri's determination to bounce back will be crucial for McLaren's hopes in the championship, as they look to capitalize on any opportunities during Sunday's race.