Piastri is a 'passenger' as Wolff acknowledges the disadvantage.

      Oscar Piastri mentions that by 2026, Formula 1 drivers might feel like they are merely passengers of an AI system, while Toto Wolff admits that Mercedes-powered customer teams will inherently have a disadvantage due to the new regulations. McLaren has consistently raised alarms about Mercedes developing its power unit alongside its own chassis, leaving customer teams with less information and potential delays in adopting new specifications.

      Piastri notes that the situation is exacerbated by the significant impact that electrical deployment now has on performance. When asked if he sometimes feels like a passenger of an AI program that is still learning, he replied, "Sometimes, yes." He expressed frustration regarding the lack of control over deployment timings, stating, "We have little control over where the deployment occurs. When there are these uncontrollable variances, it can be frustrating."

      At Spa, George Russell, a driver for the works team, experienced another unexplained issue with Mercedes' deployment prior to his retirement on the first lap. He explained, "There’s something deeply ingrained in the calibration of the code," noting that it's nearly impossible to diagnose unless one knows precisely what to look for.

      Piastri believes the issues will improve as manufacturers gain more experience but will never fully vanish under the current engine regulations. "I think they will be a factor for as long as these engines are in use, to some extent."

      Wolff has admitted that Mercedes’ main team started this new era with a distinct integration advantage over reigning champions McLaren. "In the context of the new regulations, a team that develops both its power unit and chassis internally will always have a certain edge," he acknowledged. "This is due to the inherent delays in chassis development when using simulators, which means there are lessons that need to be learned regarding the integration of the powertrain."

      However, Wolff rejected the notion that McLaren's public concerns have harmed the relationship between the two teams. "No," he replied emphatically. "On the contrary, Andrea Stella and Zak Brown have accurately and thoughtfully assessed the situation. Right now, it's somewhat of a race to catch up. But I believe we are nearing a point where the pace of development and the level of understanding among teams will start to equal out. Soon, all teams will have a similar grasp of these issues."

      Piastri stated that McLaren's car for 2026 has always posed a challenge to drive. "At the beginning of the season, we had more to manage on the power unit front, concerning aspects we could actually control and adjust with my driving style," the Australian said. "Now, although there are still areas we're cautious about with the power unit, it feels like we have less control over them."