Piastri hopes for better in Singapore as fading challenger promises 'all-out' attack

Oscar Piastri is hoping McLaren will be more competitive during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend after a disappointing round last time in Malaysia.

George Russell will start from the back of the grid after taking a penalty following last weekend's power unit failure for the Mercedes driver.

The Singapore Grand Prix will be held at the Marina Bay circuit on Sunday night.

Following a difficult weekend in Malaysia, Oscar Piastri is hoping McLaren will enjoy better results and have a more competitive car in Singapore.

Piastri finished sixth at last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, after his team sent him out on slick tyres in wet conditions to start the race, forcing the Australian into the pits as the race began.

The McLaren driver was able to fight his way back through the field, at times showing strong pace, but said sixth was the best result the team could hope for.

"We know we've not been as competitive as we would have liked the last couple of weekends,: Piastri said in Singapore ahead of this weekend's racing.

McLaren enjoyed a mid-season resurgence, with Piastri's teammate claiming back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands.

Norris won those races from pole position, and then again was fastest in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix in September.

But the reigning constructors' champions were not realistically in contention for wins, but did show promise at times.

It is that inconsistency during weekends which has hurt McLaren in 2026, and something Piastri is hoping can be improved to end the season, starting in Singapore.

"At certain points in [Malaysia], we looked very quick. On my second hard [tyre] stint, and Lando as well on his soft [tyre], we were more or less the quickest cars on the track at one point.

"It's in line with the rest of the year — if you can get the car into the right window, it's very quick.

"But we've struggled to get it there for a lot of the last two weekends. Hopefully we can make things a bit easier this weekend."