Oscar Piastri has dropped a stunning admission ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, revealing McLaren’s simulator data shows lower peak speeds at Monza than at the Hungaroring.
The Hungaroring is widely regarded as one of the slowest and most technical circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, making the comparison with Monza all the more striking.
McLaren has fitted its low-drag ‘H-wing’ configuration for this weekend at Monza, yet even that measure has not been enough to overcome the fundamental energy limitations of the 2026 cars.
The root cause lies in the ratio of straights to corners at Monza, where drivers spend nearly 80% of the lap at full throttle, draining electrical reserves at a rapid rate.
Nearly 50% of the power output in the 2026 formula comes from the electrical system, making energy management a critical and constant concern throughout every lap.
To limit the extent of super clipping and lifting-and-coasting, the FIA capped harvestable energy at five megajoules per lap, but that restriction directly reduces the energy available for deployment on the straights.
Piastri explained the impossible trade-off drivers face at a circuit like Monza, saying: “If the harvest limit was higher, we would be super clipping everywhere and probably losing 30 or 40km/h at the end of each straight.”
He added: “In our sim running, I think we were actually quicker on the front straight in Hungary than we were here, which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it’s more that we just don’t have the energy to spend.”
Piastri was clear that he believes the current regulatory approach is still the right one, stating: “For me, I think this is the correct direction to go in and have a sensible amount of super clipping.”
Super clipping, where drivers stay at full throttle while the electric motor generates negative torque to harvest energy, slows cars abruptly before traditional braking zones, frustrating drivers and spectators alike.
Energy management has been a contentious talking point throughout the 2026 season, with lifting and coasting now more frequent than at any previous point in the hybrid era that began in 2014.
Differing battery levels between cars have produced more overtaking this season, though critics argue much of it reflects energy strategy rather than genuine driver skill or racecraft.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has pushed back against that criticism, saying earlier in 2026 that “overtaking is overtaking,” and noting in a more recent interview that “many people think a clip is something you put in your hair.”
Piastri is anticipating a frantic and unpredictable Italian Grand Prix, saying: “I think the race is going to be chaos, especially at the beginning.”
He expanded on that view, describing Monza as “very, very energy-starved” with multiple straights offering opportunities to use energy at different moments throughout the race.
Piastri concluded by acknowledging the divisive nature of what may unfold, saying the race is going to be “eventful one way or another” regardless of which perspective fans choose to take.