The 2025 Formula One season concluded in dramatic fashion at Yas Marina, where Lando Norris secured the championship ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. For Piastri, who spent much of the year near the top of the standings, finishing third was a painful end to an otherwise exceptional campaign. Yet what drew the most backlash after the race was not his result, but the reaction of McLaren CEO Zak Brown over team radio.
Throughout the season, fans frequently accused Brown of favouring Norris, pointing to repeated interactions that suggested a clear imbalance in his treatment of the two McLaren drivers. Those claims resurfaced immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Brown abruptly cut into Piastri’s radio channel with an enthusiastic celebration, despite the Australian having just lost the title to his teammate. His tone stood in stark contrast to the disappointment Piastri was quietly processing.
Brown’s message—an energetic burst of praise about Piastri’s seven wins and strong season—was received as poorly timed by many observers. Rather than offering comfort or acknowledgment of the gut-wrenching moment, his excitement appeared out of sync with the gravity of Piastri’s loss. The reaction fuelled long-standing criticism that Brown’s sense of empathy toward his drivers is uneven, especially when emotions run high.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg weighed in quickly, noting on Sky Sports that Piastri was likely experiencing one of the most difficult moments of his career. Rosberg suggested that Brown could have shown greater sensitivity, perhaps offering consolation rather than celebration. At the same time, he acknowledged the challenge of balancing empathy with the elation of a team securing a championship.
The moment further intensified debate among fans and pundits about McLaren’s internal dynamics heading into the next season. With both drivers delivering exceptional performances in 2025, the spotlight now falls on how leadership will navigate the emotional and competitive balance within the team as they prepare to fight again in 2026.
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