Piastri cut Brown off? McLaren clarify Singapore controversy
Oscar Piastri at the FIA press conference in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures
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A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
McLaren has explained Oscar Piastri's actions after the end of the Singapore Grand Prix.
At lights out, Lando Norris starting P5 took over P4 from Andrea Kimi Antonelli and immediately went for the overtake on teammate Piastri resulting in a collision between the two, the consequences - or lack thereof- of which left a bitter aftertast in the Australian driver's mouth.
After the race had ended, Piastri was making his way back to Parc Fermé. As he parked his car, McLaren CEO Zak Brown could be heard speaking on the radio congratulating the Australian driver for helping the team win their tenth Constructors' championship in F1.
The Australian then unplugged the communication wires, seemingly cutting Brown off, to then climb out of his McLaren car.
Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.
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Social media became crowded with likes, shares and posts of the recently described scene which suggested a riff within McLaren following the controversial aftermath of the lap 1 clash. Nevertheless, the Woking-based team have denied such had been the case.
Contrary to what it may have appeared to be during the live feed, GPblog understands that Piastri had already turned off his car before Brown even started speaking.
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Did Piastri skip the post race celebrations?
Where Norris found himself at the centre of the McLaren team's spotlight having clinched the podium that saw the Papaya coloured team crown themselves champion for the second time on the trot, Piastri was nowhere to be seen.
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Speculation arose then, that the Australian driver had become so displeased he chose not to take part in the team's celebrations. However, the truth is far simpler and less obscure: Piastri was simply fulfilling his media duties at the time.
McLaren further told GPblog: "It wasn't our plan to celebrate then but appreciative of F1 to make that possible for the team."
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