Oscar Piastri and George Russell agree on the issue with modern F1 amid difficult 2026 seasons

Formula 1 drivers George Russell and Oscar Piastri have identified limited testing opportunities as the primary factor hindering their performances during the 2026 season. Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, both drivers addressed their adaptation struggles following the introduction of a new set of technical regulations.

Russell explained that the lack of private testing forces drivers to make adjustments during race weekends, unlike in other sports with unrestricted practice. Piastri agreed with Russell's evaluation, expressing confidence that they will make progress despite the difficulty of balancing learning with scoring championship points.