Zak Brown slams 'ridiculous' bias claims from Australian politicians over Piastri

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has dismissed as "ridiculous" and "uninformed" claims from Australian politicians that his team showed bias against Oscar Piastri during the 2025 Formula 1 season. Brown reaffirmed McLaren's commitment to "total sporting fairness" as the team prepares for a potentially tense atmosphere at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

The intervention of national politicians into a team's operational decisions highlights the intense scrutiny and passionate national followings in modern F1. Allegations of bias, even from uninformed sources, can damage a team's reputation and create unnecessary internal and external pressure, challenging the principle of fair competition within a constructor team.

The details:

• The controversy stems from the second half of the 2025 season, where Piastri, after leading the standings by 34 points following the Dutch GP, secured only three more podiums while teammate Lando Norris went on to win the drivers' championship.
• This performance shift fueled a narrative in Australia that McLaren was favoring its British driver, a claim that reached the Australian Parliament.
• One politician stated McLaren was "biased against Oscar Piastri and costing him the world championship," with another agreeing Piastri had "definitely copped some raw decisions."
• Brown expressed frustration, stating, "It's a shame that people in parliament, who I would say are pretty far removed from understanding Formula 1, vocalise things like that."
• He pointed to various incidents affecting both drivers, like Norris's retirement in Zandvoort, as proof that fortune swings both ways in a long season.
• Piastri himself addressed the parliamentary mention in Abu Dhabi, calling it "quite impressive" and a sign of the "magnitude of the support" from back home, regardless of the context.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the team dynamic and the fan reception at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

• Brown and McLaren will rely on their documented policy of fairness and Piastri's own previous statements that he receives a "fair shake" to navigate any local hostility.
• The incident underscores the challenge top teams face in managing two elite drivers and the external narratives that can emerge, especially when drivers carry strong national identities. For McLaren, maintaining a unified team front will be crucial as they defend their constructors' title.