Oscar Piastri drama reignites after McLaren podium snub at Singapore Grand Prix
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri during the press conference at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy. PHOTO: REUTERs
Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri found himself at the heart of an unexpected controversy following the Singapore Grand Prix, as fans accused McLaren of snubbing him during their post-race constructors’ championship celebration. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday night, has since ignited heated debate online, with many branding the moment “insane” and “disrespectful.”
oscar having to see his team celebrating without him on the big screen is like a dagger in my heart pic.twitter.com/ZiNMPnOd3v
— a⁸¹ 🪼 | OSCAR PIASTRI 9X RACE WINNER (@oscarsslando) October 5, 2025
oh this is devastating oscar piastri channel your rage for the last six races fuck papaya rules pic.twitter.com/6aDreCW7rr
Piastri, who currently leads the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship, had a tense race after colliding with teammate Lando Norris on the opening lap. Frustrations reportedly grew during the event, with the Australian even disconnecting his team radio mid-sentence while McLaren CEO Zak Brown was speaking. But what truly caught fans’ attention was his absence from the team’s podium celebration after McLaren secured their second consecutive constructors’ title.
While champagne and cheers erupted on the stage, Piastri was instead seen waiting in the media pen, watching the celebrations unfold on a nearby screen. Social media erupted with fans calling out McLaren for allegedly sidelining their championship leader. Some even speculated the move was deliberate or a form of “workplace bullying.”
However, according to ESPN’s Nate Saunders, Piastri’s absence was procedural rather than personal. F1 regulations require drivers who finish outside the top three — Piastri placed fourth — to attend post-race weigh-ins and interviews before rejoining their teams. By the time he completed those duties, McLaren had already begun celebrating as part of an FIA-approved plan.
Piastri later joined the festivities, posing with Norris and spraying champagne with the team. Despite the smoother ending, tensions remain within McLaren, as Piastri’s frustrations over perceived favoritism toward Norris continue to simmer ahead of the upcoming U.S. Grand Prix in Austin on October 19.