McLaren CEO Zak Brown found himself under intense fire after comedian Dave Hughes unleashed a blistering tirade over his conduct at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hughes accused Brown of blatantly favouring Lando Norris throughout the year, arguing that several team orders unfairly undermined Oscar Piastri’s title campaign. The criticism erupted shortly after Norris secured his maiden Formula One world championship by two points, while Piastri suffered heartbreak despite a strong season marked by seven victories.
Brown’s contentious behaviour escalated when he abruptly interrupted Piastri’s engineer over team radio moments after the race. His congratulatory message—delivered at the precise moment of Piastri’s disappointment—was widely viewed as tone-deaf, particularly by Australian fans already frustrated by McLaren’s strategic choices. Hughes’ response was explosive, citing numerous examples of decisions that appeared to prioritise Norris, from controversial position swaps to pit-stop calls that hindered Piastri’s chances.
Tensions deepened as Hughes detailed seven specific moments where Piastri was disadvantaged, including non-aggression directives, denied position swaps, and pivotal pit-stop strategies that ultimately cost him critical points. The comedian insisted these patterns directly influenced the title outcome, noting that one questionable team order in Italy effectively gifted Norris three additional points—more than enough to swing the championship.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg also weighed in, criticising Brown for lacking empathy in the immediate aftermath of Piastri’s defeat. Rosberg, who had endured similar emotional lows during his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, argued that Brown’s celebratory tone was poorly timed and insensitive. Yet he acknowledged the difficulty of balancing elation for one driver with compassion for another during such emotionally charged moments.
Despite the controversy, Piastri remained gracious, congratulating Norris publicly and vowing to return stronger next season. However, the tension surrounding McLaren’s internal dynamics has set the stage for a frosty reception for Brown at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. As fans continue to debate the fairness of the team’s decisions, the fallout from this turbulent season shows no sign of fading anytime soon.
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