Piastri family photo detail too much for some fans to handle
It’s been revealed Oscar Piastri and his family juggled a private “drama” before the F1 season-ending Grand Prix.
It’s been revealed Oscar Piastri’s family were reportedly trying to sort out a private “drama” behind the scenes ahead of the F1 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Australian emerged from the race with a grim smile on his face as he accepted second-place in the race and third-place in the championship behind teammate Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
With details that are only going to further fuel speculation of favouritism towards Norris within the McLaren garage, veteran reporter Kym Illman has gone public to claim Piastri’s family was left scrambling for tickets to attend the event, despite the 24-year-old heading into the race as a live championship contender.
Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Illman on Monday told his popular YouTube channel Piastri’s family was ultimately unsupported by McLaren officials as they sought to obtain passes for the biggest race of the Melburnian’s life.
While family members being denied VIP passes is a recurring theme even at the top of the sport, the new claims made about the Piastri family’s experience further stirs the pot after a series of incidents where McLaren appeared to snub the Aussie racer.
The most eyebrow-raising suggestion made by Illman is that Norris had no concerns obtaining passes for his extended family compared to Piastri.
The emotional world champion was seen celebrating and holding back tears as he celebrated and thanked his parents.
The Englishman’s dad Adam and mum Cisca Wauman have been their son’s biggest supporters.
Wauman gave Norris the biggest hug of the night.
The 26-year-old was also supported by younger sisters Flo and Cisca (named after her mother).
His older brother Oliver was also there with his wife Savannah.
Norris’ kisses and celebrations with Portuguese supermodel girlfriend Magui Corceiro had photographers and camera operators in a frenzy.
His managers Mark Berryman and Fraser Sheader were also in the thick of the action.
Piastri’s family was also there to console the driver.
“Were Oscar’s family there? They were, yes, but there was quite a drama in getting them in,” Illman said.
“In particular it was Nicole, his mum. Nicole’s partner, Tim. And his three sisters (Hattie, Edie, and Mae).
“They weren’t coming, but then about a week prior, Oscar said, ‘Well I’d like you to come’.
“But, unfortunately, each driver only gets two what we call green passes and he’d allocated those.
“So he needed another five. Unfortunately McLaren had all run out. It was them past over to FOM, Formula 1 Management. They couldn’t help. But in the end it was the FIA (Formula 1’s governing body) that came to their rescue with these passes.
“Despite the fact Oscar didn’t win, the Piastri family was certainly happy to be there as these pictures will attest.”
It was all too much for some of Piastri’s fans to handle.
“How does this even happen,” one fan wrote in a viral X post.
“McLaren not having enough. F1 not helping? For a literal contender for the championship. That feels silly.”
Another posted: “I honestly don’t understand how an F1 driver struggles to take his own family to the GP.
“Then you see celebrities each week, who don’t even care.”
Another wrote: “This is crazy”.
In touching scenes, Piastri was united with his family after the race as he hopped out of his car — hugged by mum Nicole and his sisters.
His dad Chris and girlfriend Lily Zneimer were also on hand in Abu Dhabi for the season finale, so Piastri was surrounded by his loved ones for the most stressful and heartbreaking moment of his career so far.
In a touching video shared to F1’s official TikTok account, Piastri and Lily shared a hug and a kiss in a tender moment behind the scenes.
The couple have been together since they began dating in high school and Lily has been by Piastri’s side at several races this season — she hosted a dinner with several of the drivers’ partners on the eve of the season finale.
Piastri was understandably gutted but was all class, congratulating Norris and his family, including the Brit’s mum Cisca, who gave the Aussie a hug in a lovely moment post-race.
Originally published as Piastri family photo detail too much for some fans to handle
Queen and a McMuffin: Watch how Lando celebrated his F1 title
