Oscar Piastri joked that current Formula 1 cars need about 10 laps to learn where they are going, adding that the power unit would likely need more time than he does to understand a new track. The McLaren driver was discussing his preparation for Sepang, a circuit he has never raced on before.
Piastri referenced famous press conferences where drivers competed over how quickly they could learn new circuits, with Sebastian Vettel claiming he could do it in one and a half laps. His comments about the power unit learning separately sparked online discussion among fans.
The 2026 regulations include algorithm-based systems that manage battery deployment and recharging, adjusting to driver inputs automatically. Piastri has previously expressed concern that grids could be decided by computers behaving or misbehaving rather than pure driver skill.