Nationals Senator Matt Canavan poses Oscar Piastri F1 question to transport officials
A Senate estimates hearing, fronted by transport department officials, has kicked off with an unorthodox grilling on McLaren’s treatment of Oscar Piastri.
McLaren’s treatment of Aussie driver Oscar Piastri during the F1 season has been a surprise topic of questions as transport officials were grilled in Canberra.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan said he was “disappointed” by the strategy call at the Qatar Grand Prix in the early hours of Monday, after Piastri started on pole but the team opted not to pit under the safety car.
Piastri did his best but finished behind Max Verstappen and sits third in the championship standings, despite a hugely promising start to the season. His fall in form has led some to believe McLaren is favouring Piastri’s teammate and championship leader Lando Norris.
On Monday, Senator Canavan, justifying his target audience because of their dealings “with cars”, asked transport department officials for their opinion on the controversial incident.
“Look it’s been a bit of a frustrating night for some Australians” he began.
“I don’t know who to ask this to, but you deal with transport, cars.
“So, do you think McLaren’s biased against Oscar Piastri and costing him the World Championship?”
The panel erupted in laughter, as transport secretary Jim Betts replied: “You’re asking me for an opinion there.”
“Good answer,” Senator Canavan said with a laugh, before pointing the question to Regional Affairs Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm.
“I definitely think he’s copped some raw decisions this year,” Senator Chisholm said.
“As someone with a daughter who has become obsessed with F1, she’ll be very upset when she gets up this morning.”
“This is on behalf of my children too,” Senator Canavan said, before ending his round of questioning.
The last race of the season takes place this coming weekend in Abu Dhabi, with Piastri 16 points behind Norris and four behind Verstappen.
This means the Melburnian would need to win and have Norris finish sixth or lower, or finish second and Norris to miss the top ten and Verstappen to finish outside the top three.
Originally published as Nationals Senator Matt Canavan poses Oscar Piastri F1 question to transport officials
