Ex-McLaren Exec Theorizes 'Unconscious Bias' Against Piastri

Former McLaren executive Marcin Budkowski suggests that a combination of technical struggles, a mental dip, and potential "unconscious bias" towards Lando Norris contributed to Oscar Piastri's stunning late-season collapse in the 2024 Formula 1 title fight. While not accusing the team of deliberate favoritism, Budkowski highlights how subtle, inherent preferences within a team can impact a championship battle between two teammates.

Why it matters:

Intra-team rivalries are the most intense and politically charged dynamics in Formula 1. When a team has two drivers capable of winning a championship, every decision—from strategy to resource allocation—is scrutinized. The suggestion of bias, even if unconscious, strikes at the core of a team's ability to manage its drivers fairly and effectively, which is paramount for securing both drivers' and constructors' titles.

The details:

• The Collapse: Piastri held a commanding 34-point lead over Norris after the Dutch GP but failed to win another race, eventually finishing third in the standings, 13 points behind his teammate.
• Contributing Factors: Budkowski points to a mix of issues, including the car's setup not always suiting Piastri's driving style and a potential loss of confidence, exemplified by uncharacteristic crashes at the Azerbaijan GP.
• The Qatar Incident: A disastrous strategy call in Qatar, where McLaren failed to adapt to a mandatory two-stop, cost Piastri a certain victory and was a major turning point.
• The 'Bias' Claim: Following Qatar, Budkowski spoke to a member of Piastri's camp who felt the team had favored Norris. Budkowski theorizes this wasn't a strategic choice but a potential unconscious bias toward Norris, the team's long-term "wonder kid," which "can't be excluded."

Between the lines:

Budkowski is careful to frame this as a subtle human element, not a malicious conspiracy. He acknowledges that someone from Norris's camp could likely point to moments they felt favored Piastri. This highlights the immense psychological pressure and perception management required when a team fields two title-contending drivers, where every action can be interpreted through the lens of favoritism.