Oscar Piastri’s difficult 2026 Formula 1 campaign has prompted former Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese to question how long McLaren will continue to show patience with the Australian, even suggesting Liam Lawson could emerge as a potential replacement if the situation deteriorates further.
Patrese believes Piastri needs a fresh start after a significant downturn in form, with his recent separation from long-time manager Mark Webber adding another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging period.
Although there is no indication that McLaren intends to change its driver line-up, Patrese’s assessment highlights the growing pressure on a driver who was challenging for the world championship only one season ago.
Patrese delivers a warning over Piastri’s McLaren future
Speaking in an interview with Jackpot City, Patrese was asked about Piastri’s departure from Webber’s management and whether the split had come as a surprise.
The former Williams and Benetton driver admitted that he knew little about the circumstances behind the decision, although he suggested there had been signs of tension.
“I don’t know anything about the relationship between Webber and Piastri, but I heard that Webber was no longer welcome in the McLaren garage.
“Piastri looked lost this year. Last year, he was going very well, and then suddenly he started to go down. This year, he’s still down, and Norris proved he can easily stay in front of his teammate.
“I think Webber did very well to bring Piastri to Formula 1. If something broke in their relationship, I don’t know, but Piastri needs to breathe fresh air. It’s a good thing that he has a change.”
Patrese’s comments are particularly interesting given Webber’s importance in Piastri’s career. The Australian played a significant role in guiding the youngster through the junior categories and ultimately towards his Formula 1 breakthrough.
Their separation therefore represents a significant change in Piastri’s professional environment at a time when he needs stability and a return to form.
A difficult season compared with Norris
Piastri’s struggles have become increasingly apparent during 2026. After emerging as a serious championship contender in 2025, the McLaren driver has been unable to maintain that level of performance this season.
His difficulties were compounded by two early-season non-starts in Australia and China, while adapting to McLaren’s MCL40 has proved another challenge.
Lando Norris, meanwhile, has established himself as McLaren’s leading driver and remains a consistent front-runner.
Following the São Paulo Grand Prix, Piastri sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 152 points, well behind Norris, who has 246.
The Australian finished sixth at Interlagos after qualifying 12th, while Norris secured victory from pole position.
Piastri has also managed just two podium finishes throughout the 2026 campaign, both coming during the opening four rounds. The contrast with his previous championship challenge is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Liam Lawson emerges as a potential alternative
When asked who McLaren might consider if Piastri’s performances fail to improve, Patrese identified Liam Lawson as an interesting possibility.
The New Zealander has rebuilt his reputation following his difficult experience at Red Bull and has produced a much stronger campaign with Racing Bulls.
“Lawson is finishing the season very well, unexpectedly well. If he doesn’t stay with Red Bull, then Lawson can be a driver somebody thinks about having because he proved he can be good. I don’t think he’s Kimi Antonelli; none of them are Kimi.
“But if Piastri keeps underperforming – always in trouble, not qualifying well – it’s very easy for the team to replace him. A driver like Lawson could be a replacement.”
Lawson’s performances have certainly improved his standing within the Red Bull organisation. His seventh-place finish in São Paulo also demonstrated his ability to deliver points in a competitive midfield environment.
However, the suggestion that he could replace Piastri at McLaren remains entirely hypothetical. Lawson’s immediate future is with Racing Bulls, where he is scheduled to continue racing in 2027.
McLaren must decide how much patience Piastri deserves
For McLaren, the situation presents an interesting challenge.
Piastri has already demonstrated that he possesses the speed and composure required to compete at the front of Formula 1. His nine Grand Prix victories underline that potential, and one difficult season does not erase those achievements.
Nevertheless, McLaren is a team with championship ambitions. If Norris continues to outperform his team-mate by such a substantial margin, questions about the balance of its driver line-up will inevitably become louder.
Patrese has not suggested that McLaren is preparing an immediate change, but his warning reflects the expectations placed on drivers competing for one of the most competitive seats on the grid.
Piastri still has an opportunity to respond, and rebuilding his confidence will be more important than worrying about replacement speculation.
The Australian’s next challenge is to demonstrate that 2026 is an exception rather than the beginning of a longer decline.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
