The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix should have been another night of glory for McLaren, a memorable milestone on their journey back to the top. Lando Norris, with an impressive performance, once again stood on the podium, champagne spraying, smiles beaming, and excitement filling the air. However, beneath the dazzling lights of Marina Bay, a darker story, fraught with suspicion and discontent, began to unfold. Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, was conspicuously absent from the team’s celebrations. He stood alone in the media pen, silently watching his teammates rejoice without him. This image of a solitary Piastri amidst his team’s celebration ignited a furious storm of outrage across the global Formula 1 community. This was no mere misunderstanding; it was the clearest sign yet that McLaren is blatantly favoring Lando Norris.

From controversial team orders to the infamous clash at turn three, tensions have boiled over. The story you are about to read may completely change your perception of McLaren and the harsh realities of Formula 1 racing. This isn’t just an isolated incident, but a series of events that paints an alarming picture of division and the psychological pressures a young talent like Piastri faces within his own team. The question is, was Piastri truly treated unfairly, or is this merely a misunderstanding in the high-pressure cooker of a top-tier F1 season?

A Fracture Within McLaren: The Shocking Events in Singapore

The most seismic event of the 2025 F1 season unfolded at the Singapore Grand Prix, where McLaren’s team dynamics imploded in full view of the world. What transpired inside the papaya-colored garage was not just another post-race misunderstanding. It was a clear signal that McLaren’s internal harmony is shattering, and Oscar Piastri may now be fighting not just for a championship, but for respect within his own team.

It all started at the first corner. Piastri launched his car around the outside of Verstappen, attempting to secure third position early on. But at that exact moment, Norris made a bold, almost desperate dive down the inside, putting both McLarens side-by-side for a split second. For a moment, it looked like a dream start for McLaren. Then, in a flash, it turned to chaos. Norris had to swerve to avoid hitting Verstappen, but in doing so, he nudged Piastri off the racing line. The Australian dropped back to fourth, watching his podium hopes vanish before the first lap had even ended.

Over the team radio, Piastri’s frustration erupted. He accused Norris of reckless driving and pleaded with the team to swap their positions. But McLaren refused. There was no order to return the place, no penalty from the stewards, only a deafening silence. And that silence spoke volumes. It suggested that, once again, McLaren was more concerned with protecting Norris than with treating both its drivers equally. This has ignited a fierce debate about the fairness of the team’s strategic decisions, especially when one driver holds the advantage in the championship race.

Piastri Ostracized from Celebration: An Image That Shocked the F1 Community

For the third consecutive race, Lando Norris finished ahead of Piastri. His podium finish reduced the Australian’s lead in the drivers’ championship to just 22 points—a slim margin that could disappear in a single bad race. Yet, the real drama wasn’t about the points; it was what happened after the checkered flag. As the team prepared to celebrate their second consecutive constructors’ championship, the atmosphere inside the McLaren garage should have been euphoric. Champagne was flowing, high-fives were exchanged everywhere, and orange confetti filled the air.

But eagle-eyed fans noticed something shocking: the man who had contributed the most points to that title, Oscar Piastri, was missing from the celebration. Instead of standing on the podium with his team, he was stuck in the media pen, watching the party on a nearby screen. The image of Piastri standing alone while Norris and Zak Brown celebrated sent shockwaves through social media. Fans were furious, calling the moment “insane,” “embarrassing,” and even “workplace bullying.” Some argued that Piastri, as the current championship leader, deserved to be front and center. Others believed his absence symbolized the growing divide within McLaren—a silent protest against a team that no longer feels united.

Of course, McLaren quickly tried to calm the storm. They explained that drivers finishing outside the top three must go to the FIA scales before attending media interviews. Piastri was simply following the rules, they claimed. He did later appear for team photos and celebrations, but by then, the damage was done. The optics were terrible. The world had already seen the image of McLaren celebrating without its championship leader, and no explanation could fully erase that perception. This isn’t just about one missed photo. This moment fits into a much larger pattern that has been developing all season.

Clear Signs of Favoritism: A History of Inequity and Expert Reactions

At Monza, McLaren ordered Piastri to give a position back to Norris after a slow pit stop. Earlier in the year, strategic calls often seemed to lean toward Lando’s side of the garage. Each time, Piastri bit his tongue, focusing on the results. But in Singapore, that patience finally cracked. Disconnecting his radio mid-race while Zak Brown was speaking wasn’t just frustration; it was a quiet rebellion.

Former drivers and analysts were quick to weigh in. Martin Brundle called Norris’s move “aggressive but fair,” while Anthony Davidson flatly stated that Norris should have been penalized for forcing his teammate wide. James Hinchcliffe went even further, suggesting that Piastri’s absence from the celebrations was a psychological statement that he now feels he is on his own in this title fight. And that is perhaps the most worrying part for McLaren—not that they risk losing a few points, but that they risk losing their driver’s trust. Because once a driver starts believing his own team is against him, performance begins to crumble.

You can hear it in Piastri’s voice. The normally calm, ice-cool Aussie now sounds agitated, on edge, second-guessing every call. It’s the kind of mental strain that can destroy a championship campaign. And the irony is, McLaren’s internal politics might end up costing them both titles. Jenson Button also noticed the change, saying that Piastri no longer looks like the composed driver he was earlier in the season. The pressure, the tension, the feeling of being sidelined is starting to take its toll.

The Final Challenge: McLaren Needs Unity to Overcome Crisis

And yet, despite it all, Piastri remains in the lead. That’s a testament to his focus and consistency. But the cracks are now visible. With six races left, the situation couldn’t be more dangerous. Norris has momentum, McLaren management seems divided, and Piastri is isolated. If the team keeps favoring one side, they could hand the drivers’ championship straight to Mercedes or Red Bull. Rivals like Verstappen and Russell can sense the weakness. They know McLaren’s greatest enemy right now isn’t them; it’s themselves.

This Singapore incident may one day be remembered as the spark that ignited McLaren’s internal war, the moment when a team fighting for glory started tearing itself apart from the inside. Whether they can recover before Austin will determine everything. Because in Formula 1, unity wins championships, and division destroys them.

So now the question is: was Oscar Piastri really wrong to feel betrayed, or has McLaren crossed a line by putting Norris first again? Based on your observation, who was in the wrong that night? Was Piastri too aggressive, or was McLaren’s strategy clearly favoring Lando Norris? Let us know what you think in the comments, because this one could change everything heading into Austin. The future of McLaren, and the championship title itself, is at a precarious crossroads.