Or so it has been inferred by reserve driver Pato O'Ward, who took charge of Piastri's car in FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, where the Driver's championship will be decided in a three-way fight between Norris, Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, and the Australian driver, who are currently split by a 16 point spread heading into the final round of the season.

"Oh it was good. I'm happy that I was able to complete the run plan for Oscar's side," said O'Ward to F1TV after the on-track action on Friday. "Pretty important weekend for both drivers so no scratches, brought it back in one piece."

The Indycar driver will also take the wheel of the McLaren on Tuesday for the post-season tests where  Pirelli will test the 2026 compounds, which he described as his chance to give the car "a proper go."

When asked regarding the feeling the car provided him with during his run on Friday afternoon, he found it hard to give an accurate assessment. "I mean, the only other reference that I have is Mexico, which is a lot less downforce," he said.

O'Ward was then quizzed on if he had given any notes to F1 title hopeful Piastri, which he denied, before highlighting a 'little bit of a difference' between both cars.

"I don't think he needs it [the notes]," the Mexican driver said. "[I'm] just here to support I guess and [I'm] just helping the team put the best foot forward and I know it's important to test different things.

"I know the cars had a little bit of a difference in certain parts of it, so Important to gather all that information with quality laps," O'Ward concluded.

During Fridays team's often test different parts to gather enough relevant data that points them in the right configuration of the car for any given track. Jugding by the finishing positions and the lap times, though, it seems as though Norris' car spec and/or setup is better suited for the Yas Marina Circuit layout.

In Brazil the Australian admitted he was not happy with the direction the team went in. Whether Piastri will move toward his teammate's configuration is not yet known.

Speaking about his run In FP2, Piastri said it was a shorter day -alluding to him relinquishing his drive for O'Ward in FP1 - but productive, with the car in a good window and only small tweaks needed. Read his full statement here.

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