Piastri’s Absence from McLaren Celebration Sparks Rumors
Following McLaren’s victory in the constructors’ championship at the Singapore Grand Prix, social media was flooded with comments about the absence of Oscar Piastri, who leads the drivers’ championship.
Piastri finished in fourth place, behind his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris. Although this result was enough to secure the constructors’ title for McLaren. The race was marked by controversy. Norris overtook Piastri on the first lap, almost sending the Australian driver into the wall. Piastri expressed his frustration with the maneuver.After the podium ceremony for the top three (George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris), the McLaren team celebrated on the podium. Piastri’s absence generated speculation, but the explanation was simpler. Pilots follow a post-race protocol determined by their final position. The top three give interviews for television. Then, they go to the cool-down room before the podium celebration. Drivers outside the podium must go to the FIA scales before media interviews. Piastri, finishing fourth, followed this protocol. It is common for drivers to give interviews while the winning team’s national anthem is playing. Piastri joined McLaren for the planned celebration: a photo in the pit-lane with both drivers, the team, and Andrea Stella. However, Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, had already left the circuit. 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 aim to be McLaren’s first champion since 2008.That’s not fair. I’m sorry, that’s not fair. If he has to avoid Verstappen crashing into his teammate, that’s a pretty bad job of avoiding.
Oscar Piastri
