Oscar Piastri believes the pecking order of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix will not decide who is successful during the first season of Formula One's new rules era. 

Following the third and final round of testing in Bahrain, all eyes are now on Albert Park, with the opening race of an eagerly-anticipated 2026 campaign drawing ever closer. 

The sport has undergone some of its biggest changes between the 2025 and 2026 campaigns, with new rules introduced regarding engines, chassis, tyres and fuel.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has already conceded that both Mercedes and Ferrari are a "step ahead" of McLaren, who are two-time reigning constructors' champions. 

And Piastri's team-mate, Lando Norris, who is the defending drivers' champion, started his title triumph with a victory in the season opener in Melbourne last year.

"I think we're in the mix at the moment," Piastri told Sky Sports F1 on the eve of his home race. 

"We'll find out for sure soon enough, but I don't think we're quite in the position we were 12 months ago where we felt like we were the strongest.

"I think this season is not going to be won by who's quickest, or who's the best, at the first race.

"There's going to be a lot of development, a lot of learning, especially for us as drivers.

"And whoever can get on top of that the quickest in what is a very long season is going to end up on top in the long run."

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No Australian has ever won, reached the podium or secured pole position in Australia in the history of F1, with Piastri aiming to put the record to bed with a strong display. 

He looked on course to do that in 2025, but in slippery conditions in Melbourne, Piastri, along with Norris, both spun out, with the former coming home in ninth after dropping as low as 13th in the race. 

Piastri has won nine times in F1, with seven of them coming in 2025 as he finished third in the constructors' standings, behind Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. 

If he manages to climb to the top of the podium, he will become the third Australian driver to achieve 10 victories in the competition after Jack Brabham (14) and Alan Jones (12).

But even if McLaren do start behind their rivals this weekend, Piastri has confidence in the team and that they will be able to catch up quickly. 

"I think every time there's a regulation reset there are a few pathways you can go down, and I think we've probably seen a few teams go down different pathways," he said.

"So it's going to be interesting to see which one ends up being the best. If there's one thing I do know, it's just how competent our team is and especially our engineering team.

"We've shown over the last two or three years just how quickly we can get things back on track and how quickly we can turn things around.

"So I think, no matter what rules we get thrown at us, I think we'll get there."