The fallout from Oscar Piastri’s turbulent Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend intensified when a controversial post appeared on his Instagram account during a practice session. The message, sharply critical of McLaren’s handling of the championship rivalry between Piastri and teammate Lando Norris, circulated briefly before being swiftly deleted. Piastri later clarified that he had not authored the post, sparking speculation about internal mishaps within his close-knit entourage.
Reports soon revealed that a member of Piastri’s personal team had accidentally published the inflammatory graphic while browsing social media to prepare the driver for press duties. Though the post was online for only seconds, it ignited global headlines and revived rumours of tension inside the McLaren garage. The quoted remarks, originally attributed to former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, accused McLaren of favouring Norris due to his British heritage, greater publicity value, and enhanced sponsor appeal.
Ecclestone’s commentary further criticised McLaren’s so-called “Papaya Rules,” suggesting they routinely leave Piastri disadvantaged in strategic calls. His words struck a nerve amid Piastri’s ongoing championship decline. Once leading Norris by more than 30 points earlier in the season, Piastri now trails by 24, with many analysts pointing to recent tactical choices they believe were designed to bolster Norris’s title prospects. The Instagram blunder only heightened scrutiny around the team’s internal dynamics.
Despite publicly downplaying any discord, Piastri has endured a string of setbacks, including five consecutive races without a podium. His Vegas qualifying session compounded his frustrations as wet conditions, operational missteps, and a late yellow flag denied him a final push, leaving him only fast enough for fifth. Norris, in contrast, soared to pole position, widening the competitive gulf between the McLaren teammates at a crucial moment in the title fight.
As pressure mounts, Piastri remains outwardly composed, insisting the team is unified as the season nears its conclusion. Yet the combination of strategic disappointments, public controversy, and worsening championship odds has cast a shadow over McLaren’s campaign. With Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and George Russell crowding the front of the grid, Piastri faces an uphill battle to recover lost ground—and the Vegas drama has only intensified the spotlight on every move he and his team make.
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