Oscar Piastri has reignited the simmering McLaren favoritism saga with a single, loaded social-media move—an act that has detonated a fresh wave of speculation about his dynamic with Lando Norris. Once the season’s early dominator, Piastri has seen his momentum evaporate, his once-commanding championship lead collapsing into a frustrating drought of podium-less weekends. His costly Brazilian Grand Prix penalty only deepened the chasm, handing Norris yet another opportunity to extend his advantage and tighten his grip on what could become his maiden world title.
Against this turbulent backdrop, whispers about internal bias have grown louder, with some fans convinced that the team’s public “equal driver status” mantra disguises a subtle tilt toward Norris. McLaren’s so-called “Papaya Rules” encourage fair, contact-free racing—at least in theory—but repeated moments throughout the campaign have sparked doubts about whether both drivers truly operate under the same strategic umbrella.
Fueling the controversy, Piastri reposted a quote from former F1 godfather Bernie Ecclestone, who bluntly claimed McLaren favored Norris for his marketability, star presence, and broader commercial value. The repost, conspicuously left on Piastri’s account, sent the online discourse into a frenzy. Whether it was a slip of the thumb or a deliberate signal remains ambiguous, but its timing—coinciding with Piastri’s worst run of form in over a year—made the gesture impossible to ignore.
Zak Brown, ever the diplomat, has repeatedly rejected any insinuation of bias, insisting both drivers enjoy identical opportunities and transparent communication. He maintains that the duo’s relationship thrives precisely because the internal environment is equitable. Piastri himself echoed the sentiment after the chaos in Brazil, brushing aside rumors and affirming his satisfaction with McLaren’s conduct behind the scenes.
Yet the optics of the situation tell a messier story. With tensions rising, results slipping, and the championship narrative hardening against him, Piastri’s repost has opened a new chapter in an already fraught debate—one that is unlikely to fade as the season hurtles toward its dramatic conclusion.
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