F1 NEWS TODAY : McLaren address Piastri controversy as FIA confirm samples taken at Singapore GP… Read more
F1 News Today: McLaren address Piastri controversy as FIA confirm samples taken at Singapore GP
McLaren have stepped in to clarify the zxzxtruth behind a viral social media clip involving Oscar Piastri and Zak Brown, which sparked confusion and controversy following the Singapore Grand Prix. The clip, which appeared to show Piastri abruptly cutting off Brown mid-sentence, quickly gained traction among Formula 1 fans online — but McLaren insist the footage was misleading.
The drama began after tensions flared between Piastri and his team-mate Lando Norris during the Singapore race. The two McLaren drivers found themselves battling for third place in a heated on-track exchange that nearly ended in disaster. Norris made an aggressive move that pushed Piastri dangerously close to the barriers, leaving the young Australian visibly frustrated.
Over the team radio, Piastri fumed: “That’s not fair. I’m sorry, that’s not fair. If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his team-mate, then that’s a pretty **** job of avoiding.” The stewards reviewed the incident after the race but decided that no further action was necessary, deeming it a fair racing moment. However, the tension didn’t end there.
Shortly after the chequered flag, a video circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showing Zak Brown attempting to congratulate Piastri over team radio. “Oscar, back-to-back championships, good race, tough race, thank you for–” Brown said before his message was suddenly cut short. The clip then showed Piastri sitting silently in his cockpit for several seconds before exiting the car.
Fans online quickly assumed that Piastri had intentionally disconnected his radio or ignored his team principal in frustration. One user wrote, “Zak Brown was congratulating Oscar Piastri after the race and he… disconnected the radio?? Fairs.” Another commented, “He’s so close to pulling an Alonso — ‘no more radio for the rest of the race.’”
However, McLaren quickly moved to set the record straight. According to De Telegraaf, the team clarified that the viral video was actually out of sync. They confirmed that Piastri never heard Brown’s message, as it was transmitted after he had already powered down the car’s systems and stepped out of the cockpit. In reality, there was no snub — only an unfortunate timing issue in the footage.
To further quash any misunderstanding, McLaren revealed that Piastri went straight to the team’s garage to congratulate everyone on their Constructors’ Championship success. Team sources confirmed that Piastri was in high spirits and eager to celebrate with the entire McLaren crew, showing no sign of animosity towards Zak Brown or Norris.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Piastri himself struck a positive and reflective tone despite the drama. “It’s obviously a great night for the whole team,” he said. “It wasn’t the race I wanted personally, but tonight is the culmination of years of hard work from everyone at McLaren. I’m really proud to be a part of this moment.”
Still, fans remained divided over how the McLaren duo handled the tense on-track situation. Some viewers argued that Piastri should be more assertive in his title battle against Norris now that the Constructors’ title is secured. One comment read: “That’s what he needs to be doing to win the championship. Now that the team goal is done, it’s every man for himself.”
Others sided with Norris, defending his bold overtake and questioning what else he could have done. “What do you expect Lando to do? Just let Oscar win?” one fan asked. Meanwhile, another joked, “Demon Oscar Piastri incoming. And I’m all here for it.”
The heated discussion highlights just how competitive things have become within McLaren, as both drivers continue to chase personal glory in the final six rounds of the season. While the FIA confirmed that standard post-race sample tests were carried out in Singapore — with no irregularities reported — it’s the team’s internal rivalry that continues to dominate headlines.
With championship points and pride still on the line, all eyes will be on how McLaren manage their driver dynamics heading into the next race. One thing is certain — Oscar Piastri’s determination and fiery spirit are alive and well, even as McLaren works hard to maintain unity behind the scenes.
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