Oscar Piastri says relationship with Zak Brown strengthened through 'tough moments'

Oscar Piastri says his relationship with McLaren CEO Zak Brown has grown stronger through the challenges of the 2025 Formula 1 season, dismissing external narratives of team bias. The Australian driver, who recently secured his first podium of the 2026 season in Japan, emphasized the resilience of their partnership amidst a controversial title fight last year and unfounded speculation about his standing within the team.

Why it matters:

In the high-pressure environment of F1, the trust between a driver and team leadership is foundational to success. Public disputes over perceived favoritism, especially those that escalate to political commentary, can fracture team unity and destabilize performance. Piastri's public affirmation of a strong relationship with Brown helps solidify McLaren's internal cohesion as they battle at the front of the grid, putting persistent rumors to rest and allowing the team to focus purely on competition.

The details:

• Piastri's 2025 championship bid ultimately fell short by 12 points to teammate Lando Norris after leading by 34 points mid-season, a swing that fueled external accusations of team orders favoring the British driver.
• The speculation became so intense it was raised in the Australian parliament, with politicians questioning if Piastri was receiving equal treatment.
• Separately, Brown was forced to deny claims during a legal dispute with Alex Palou that he was personally opposed to signing Piastri from Alpine in 2022.
• In response to being told Brown was seen as a "villain" in Australia last year, Piastri stated their relationship is "very good" and has strengthened over time, crediting Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella's complementary leadership styles.
• Brown previously expressed frustration with the political commentary, calling the statements "ridiculous" from individuals "far removed from understanding Formula 1," while asserting the team operates with "total sporting fairness."

What's next:

With the public air cleared, the focus for Piastri and McLaren returns entirely to on-track performance. The podium in Suzuka is a positive step for Piastri's 2026 campaign after a luckless start featuring two non-starts. A unified team front, free from internal doubt, is critical for McLaren to consistently challenge Mercedes and Ferrari and convert their competitive car into championships. Piastri's continued development alongside Norris remains one of the most compelling intra-team dynamics in the sport.