In a vibrant display of camaraderie and cheeky humor, Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, delivered a jaw-dropping jab aimed at Oscar Piastri during the team’s end-of-season celebration. As the Woking-based squad reveled in their triumphant year, securing both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships for the first time since 1998, Brown couldn’t resist taking a playful dig at Piastri’s former team, Alpine.
The atmosphere was electric, reflecting a season marked by significant achievements. McLaren clinched the Constructors’ title at the Singapore Grand Prix, marking a momentous return to form, while Lando Norris triumphed in the title race, securing his first Drivers’ Championship in a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi. Piastri, despite a dramatic drop in points from leading the championship by 34 points in August, made history by winning more Grands Prix in a single season than any Australian driver before him.
Brown’s comments were not merely light-hearted banter; they underscored the strategic risks McLaren took in signing both Piastri and Norris. Addressing the crowd of McLaren employees, he remarked, “We took big risks on both of you, and don’t pretend you had better options.” The humor escalated as he pointed directly at Piastri, quipping, “You had f***ing Alpine,” before turning to Norris, adding, “And you had to be faster than Stoffel Vandoorne.”
This playful roast referenced Norris’s rise, effectively taking the seat from Vandoorne in 2019 amid a challenging era for McLaren, who were struggling with an uncompetitive car and just beginning a new engine partnership with Renault. Despite the struggles, Vandoorne managed to score points early in the season, but soon transitioned to Formula E, where he eventually claimed the World Championship with Mercedes in 2022.
The lively exchange at the McLaren party not only highlighted the team’s remarkable journey but also underscored the competitive spirit and resilience of its drivers. With the season behind them, both Piastri and Norris look ahead to continuing their ascent in the world of Formula 1, fueled by the successes and challenges of this past year.
