Brown hit with further questioning over mishandling of Piastri post-F1 title loss
Photo: Race Pictures
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.
Lando Norris came over the line in P3 in Abu Dhabi, gathering the necessary points to crown himself F1 champion ahead of Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
"That's his most horrible moment in his racing career. Maybe Zak could have had a little more empathy there."- Nico Rosberg.
Oscar Piastri lost out to McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the F1 2025 title race. Photo: Race Pictures
Since Piastri’s dip after the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren's handling of its drivers has been a re-emerging topic which saw the Woking-based team’s decisions questioned by paddock insiders and fans alike, with some suggesting the team had thrown its support behind Norris’ title bid in detriment of Piastri’s, a claim that has been time and time again dismissed by McLaren’s leadership.
After the British driver secured the title in Abu Dhabi, Piastri’s engineer Tom Stallard’s conversation with the Australian driver was interrupted by McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
ADVERTISEMENT
"What a season, what a season,” Brown began. “You're a star. Seven wins. We love ya. We'll do it again next year. Thank you Oscar for everything you've done. What a year.”
Moments later the American CEO interrupted the conversation again. "Oscar, very proud of you. Awesome. What a team player. We go again next year. See you on the podium," he added.
Rosberg suggests insensitivity on Brown’s side
Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg, whilst understanding of Brown’s emotionality after securing McLaren’s first double title since 1998, urged more empathy was required.
"That's his most horrible moment in his racing career," Rosberg said of Piastri’s title loss on Sky Sports F1. "Maybe Zak could have had a little more empathy there, rather than celebrating. He could have said, 'Next year will be your year,' but it's difficult for Zak because he's so ecstatic at the same time," the former Mercedes drivers concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Brown put on the spot on live podcast
During a live interview on talkSPORT Brown was asked about an alleged preferential treatment of Norris. Read the American CEO's reaction here.
GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update
Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read also
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
