‘Horrible’: McLaren supremo criticised for final Oscar Piastri radio message

McLaren supremo Zak Brown has been criticised for a final classless message to Oscar Piastri after Lando Norris was crowned world champ.

McLaren supremo Zak Brown has been criticised for his classless final radio message to Oscar Piastri.

The Australian watched on as teammate Lando Norris was crowned world champ after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix failed to produce any fireworks on Monday morning.

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Piastri executed a daring overtake around the outside of his teammate on the opening lap, but the two McLarens were powerless to stop Max Verstappen from running into the sunset with a comfortable race victory.

It was Verstappen’s fifth win in Abu Dhabi, coming home 12.5 seconds clear of Piastri with Norris third, 3.9 seconds further adrift.

Charles Leclerc, who was pressing Norris for much of the race, came fourth for a revitalised Ferrari, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.

Only needing a podium finish to be assured of championship glory, Norris did what he needed to do, holding on to win the championship with a two-point margin on Verstappen.

Piastri was just 13 points behind his teammate after a season where many commentators have spoken out about Piastri being robbed of championship points as a result of team blunders and rumours of favouritism towards Norris in the garage.

Brown certainly didn’t endear himself further to Piastri’s fans on Monday morning when he was heard talking over the top of Piastri and the 24-year-old’s race engineer on team radio after the chequered flag was waved.

Piastri’s engineer Tom Stallard first said: “Good job Oscar. Obviously that means Lando is world champion”.

Before he could continue, an excited Brown took over, saying: “Oscar, what a season. What a season. You’re a star. Seven wins. We love ya. We’ll do it again next year.

“Thank you Oscar for everything you’ve done. What a year.”

Piastri responded with some classy words for his teammate.

“Thanks everyone. Well done to Lando,” he said.

“It’s been a great season trying to beat each other so congratulations. Well done to everyone in our team. Fantastic season. Thanks for all the work.

Lando Norris (R) celebrates with Oscar Piastri. Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

“We tried our best to get there, but it wasn’t quite to be. Well done everyone. Thankyou.”

Stallard responded by saying: “Well done to you Oscar as well. To be honest, where we were last year, the season you’ve put together is pretty impressive. So we go away. There’s a few wounds to lick and we’ll come back stronger.”

Stallard’s last few words were drowned out by Brown coming in over the top.

“Oscar, very proud of you. Awesome. What a team player,” Brown said.

“We go again next year. See you on the podium.”

The exchange ended with Piastri saying “Thanks Zak”.

The description of Oscar being a “team player” is sure to twist the knife for those of the belief the Melburnian was dudded by his own team.

Former world champion Nico Rosberg was critical of how Brown handled the delicate moment.

Rosberg was on several occasions forced to watch his former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton win the championship and knew exactly how Piastri would have felt hearing the words.

“That’s his (Piastri) most horrible moment in a long, long time in his racing career,” the German said on Sky Sports.

“Maybe Zak could have had a little more empathy there, rather than celebrating. He could have said, ‘Sorry, ‘next year will be your year’ or something like that which could have been a bit more fitting.

Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren congratulates Second placed Oscar Piastri. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“But it’s difficult for Zak because he’s so ecstatic at the same time. So I understand.”

Piastri and Brown were seen sharing a hug together after the race — and the McLaren boss had plenty of nice things to say about Piastri as the dust settled on the season.

“He is a future world champion. Both of our guys won seven races, drove brilliantly, supported each other,” Brown told Sky Sports.

“It’s a cruel sport, things sometimes go your way, sometimes don’t. I’m excited to go racing with these two drivers next year.”

Piastri was deflated speaking to reporters after the race.

“It has been a fun challenge,” he said in the F1 paddock.

“Obviously at certain points maybe it doesn’t feel that fun but I think it has been a really enjoyable season for both of us probably and I’m saying that as the person who’s not champion.

“I’ve learnt plenty of things along the way. Even the last three years I’ve learnt things every weekend from what Lando does and it’s nice to know that it goes both ways.

“There are plenty of years to come of intense weekends and tight battles but, ultimately, I think that has made both of us better drivers and, in some ways, contributed to the success both of us have had this year.”

Originally published as ‘Horrible’: McLaren supremo criticised for final Oscar Piastri radio message