The McLaren Celebration: A Title with Notable Absences
Following the victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, the McLaren team celebrated their constructors’ championship on the podium. However, the absence of Oscar Piastri, the drivers’ championship leader, sparked speculation. Piastri finished in fourth place, behind his teammate and rival, Lando Norris. This result was enough for McLaren to secure their constructors’ title. The race was controversial for the team. Norris overtook Piastri on the first lap, almost causing an accident. Piastri expressed his frustration with the maneuver.Norris’s action reduced Piastri’s lead in the championship to three points.“That’s not fair. If he has to avoid [Verstappen] by crashing into his teammate, it’s a pretty bad job of avoiding”.
Oscar Piastri
After the podium ceremony for the top three, the McLaren team joined Norris on the podium to celebrate. “We Are The Champions” by Queen resonated as team principal Andrea Stella, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, and much of the team celebrated.
The absence of Piastri generated doubts, but the reality was less dramatic. Pilots must follow a protocol after the race depending on their position. The top three are interviewed by television before going to the cool-down room and then to the podium. Drivers outside the podium must go to the FIA weighbridge before media interviews. Piastri, finishing fourth, complied with this protocol. Often, drivers who are not on the podium give interviews while the national anthem is playing. The rules can be strict. Lewis Hamilton, for example, was penalized and did not return to the press area after the hearing with the stewards. Piastri, when questioned about the incident with Norris, stated: “I need to see the incident in more detail. I want to see exactly what happened before drawing conclusions.” Piastri joined McLaren for the planned celebration: a photo in the pit-lane with both drivers, the team and Stella. Another notable absentee was CEO Brown, who had already left the circuit to catch his flight. Brown commented: “Job done. See you in Austin.” The United States Grand Prix is one of the six remaining races of the 2025 season. Piastri leads Norris by 22 points in the drivers’ championship. Both are seeking to be McLaren’s first champion since 2008.
